Solder pastes: advantages, varieties, features of use

Solder pastes are specific substances of pasty consistency that are used to secure parts on the printed circuit board. They have certain advantages, disadvantages and features of application.

Merits and varieties of the presented material

Consider the advantages that solder pastes have:

- the possibility of their use for the manufacture of boards with very small details;

- they do not require the presence of a soldering iron, however, to work with this material you will need a special hair dryer or station, thanks to which the product warms up;

- You can use such a substance in cases where it is not possible to work with conventional tools.

Solder pastes are of different types. First of all, they are classified by the way of removing excess substance after work: washing and washing-free. The second option is safer, since it does not lead to corrosion of the board. The first type of pastes can be washed off with water, so they contain components that can harm radio equipment.

It should also be noted that the substance can be made on the basis of lead or without it. The second type of paste is environmentally friendly.

How to choose and store the material correctly?

In order for the work to be done efficiently and accurately, you need to purchase the "correct" solder pastes. First of all, you should pay attention to the technical characteristics of the substance: humidity and air temperature, storage features.

The presented material can lose its qualities depending on aging. The choice depends on the type of paste and the scope of its application. Naturally, the important factor is the cost of the material. Solder paste, whose price is about 10 dollars for 50 grams or more, is purchased only at certified points of sale.

As for the storage of the material, it must be placed in the refrigerator, the temperature in which it does not rise above 4 degrees. During its use in the room should be warm, but not hot (no more than 25 ⁰ C). The humidity should not reach 80%. Before using the substance, it is necessary to heat it to room temperature and only then open the jar. Sometimes it can take up to 6 hours.

Features of material application

Soldering with solder paste has its own nuances. For example, the surface on which the substance will be applied must be absolutely clean, dry and free from grease. The board for the duration of the work must be as firmly fixed in the horizontal position.

The place that will be propped should be completely covered with the substance. After that, try to place all the necessary details on the board very accurately. Now you can start warming up the product with a hair dryer. At the same time, the jet should not be too strong. Its temperature should be about 150 degrees, until all the flux has evaporated from the paste. After this, the jet can be made hot (200-250 ⁰ C).

After finishing all the work, the board will need to be cooled and cleaned of residues. This procedure depends on the type of paste.