Re: flux

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Posted by Gary Dodge on February 06, 2003 at 23:21:17:

In Reply to: Re: flux posted by Rick D on February 06, 2003 at 16:38:22:

Great, thanks. Sometimes I also get what look like little burst bubbles in the solder, resulting in little holes that look like dormant volcanoes (OK, so the imagery is weird), same causes, contaminated flux?

Hi Again Rick,

Funny, in my soldering lecture I call those little volcanos. If you look at the right moment you get to see the little bubbles erupt from them.

No, they are not caused by contaminated flux, just by too much flux. Excess flux can get trapped under the molten solder and as it boils, the steam is forced up through the solder, particularly when you solder the back side of a panel and the steam created by boiling the flux can no longer vent out the reverse side of the panel.

The cure is to wipe excess flux off the brush before fluxing the back of a panel. Use a more vigorus brushing action to ensure adequate coverage.

GaryD

: : 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
: Great, thanks. Sometimes I also get what look like little burst bubbles in the solder, resulting in little holes that look like dormant volcanoes (OK, so the imagery is weird), same causes, contaminated flux?

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: Great, thanks. Sometimes I also get what look like little burst bubbles in the solder, resulting in little holes that look like dormant volcanoes (OK, so the imagery is weird), same causes, contaminated flux? : Hi Again Rick, : Funny, in my soldering lecture I call those little volcanos. If you look at the right moment you get to see the little bubbles erupt from them. : No, they are not caused by contaminated flux, just by too much flux. Excess flux can get trapped under the molten solder and as it boils, the steam is forced up through the solder, particularly when you solder the back side of a panel and the steam created by boiling the flux can no longer vent out the reverse side of the panel. : The cure is to wipe excess flux off the brush before fluxing the back of a panel. Use a more vigorus brushing action to ensure adequate coverage. : GaryD : : : : 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 : : Great, thanks. Sometimes I also get what look like little burst bubbles in the solder, resulting in little holes that look like dormant volcanoes (OK, so the imagery is weird), same causes, contaminated flux?

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