Posted by Gary Dodge on February 04, 2003 at 02:01:43:
In Reply to: flux posted by Rick DeMarsh on February 02, 2003 at 16:17:16:
Hi Rick,
Flux does three main things.
1) Cleans metals to prepare them to accept solder and keeps oxidation off the molten solder.
2) Changes the surface tension of molten solder so that it stands up in a tight little ball when heated rather than just laying in a flat puddle. Try melting some solder onto a clean flux-free surface. Push it around with your iron a bit, then add a bit of flux and push it around a bit more. You'll get the picture.
3) Flux forms a bridge between your iron and the solder and underlying metals to more efficiently transfer heat.
As for the dull patches, that can come from using the wrong solder or flux, contaminated flux or sometimes working in a very cold room.
GaryD
: I've done about a dozen stained glass projects so far, each more complicated than the last...but nobody ever told me much in-depth about flux, other than I need to use it. What, specifically, does it do? Also, I have found that sometimes I get what look like air bubbles in my soldering or discoloration (flat, dull look when done as opposed to bright and shiny). Is this related to flux? Thanks
: Rick