Re: Wave Solder Flux Out With The Old & In With The New

According to Howard, we clean the flux tank on our wave solder machines every week. We replace it because flux sops up moisture from the air and contaminating materials from boards that are being fluxed prior to soldering. How would a prudent person determine if their wave flux need to be changed? Does thinner need to changed? Thanks y'all Dave F

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Dave: Cleaning flux tanks should be a thing of the Past. With Ultrasonic flux spraying equipment you can deliver flux directly from the flux container. There is no contamination or moisture problems. It is said to cut your flux cost by up to 80% and maintenance requirements. You might want to contact sono-Tek in New York for additional information. I have attached there website for you. Wayne PS please email me and I can give you contact names if your desire.

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Dave: Wayne is correct with his analysis of ultrasonic spraying - we also use Sonoteks. However, your post didn't ask for a different system, just a clarification regarding your problem. What type of flux system are you currently using - spray, foam, or wave fluxer? Do you use a titration method to check your flux specific gravity? If you are using a hydrometer, and your flux has a low solids content, you will non be able to diagnose whether the the flux is bad or not. Usually, in an open air format, the thinner evaporates which will change the specific gravity. This change may be mistaken as the flux "absorbing" moisture from the air. A little more information would be helpful to aid you with this problem. Good luck, Brian Conner

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| | Dave: | Wayne is correct with his analysis of ultrasonic spraying - we also use Sonoteks. However, your post didn't ask for a different system, just a clarification regarding your problem. What type of flux system are you currently using - spray, foam, or wave fluxer? Do you use a titration method to check your flux specific gravity? If you are using a hydrometer, and your flux has a low solids content, you will non be able to diagnose whether the the flux is bad or not. | Usually, in an open air format, the thinner evaporates which will change the specific gravity. This change may be mistaken as the flux "absorbing" moisture from the air. A little more information would be helpful to aid you with this problem. | Good luck, | Brian Conner Brian: We use foam Alpha Lonco 3355 WS wave solder flux. We monitor the flux through the week using a hydrometer and dump the flux tank at the end of the week. Dave F

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| | Dave: | Wayne is correct with his analysis of ultrasonic spraying - we also use Sonoteks. However, your post didn't ask for a different system, just a clarification regarding your problem. What type of flux system are you currently using - spray, foam, or wave fluxer? Do you use a titration method to check your flux specific gravity? If you are using a hydrometer, and your flux has a low solids content, you will non be able to diagnose whether the the flux is bad or not. | Usually, in an open air format, the thinner evaporates which will change the specific gravity. This change may be mistaken as the flux "absorbing" moisture from the air. A little more information would be helpful to aid you with this problem. | Good luck, | Brian Conner Brian: We use foam Alpha Lonco 3355 WS wave solder flux. We monitor the flux through the week using a hydrometer and dump the flux tank at the end of the week. Dave F

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