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Soldering Flux

From DT Online

Description

Fluxes are used generally to help molten metal flow and to shield its surface against the atmosphere to help prevent the formation of Oxides (e.g. during metal extraction or Smelting, and Casting). Fluxes are used for the same reasons when Soft Soldering or Hard Soldering plus, in addition, some may provide a cleaning function to actively remove surface Oxides which have already formed. Some of the earliest known Fluxes include Coke and Limestone as used in Blast Furnaces and animal fat or Tallow may have been used as long ago as in Ancient Rome.


Fluxes may be Passive, whereby their role is mainly protective, or Active in that they also, to a greater or less extent, clean the metal surface - usually by means of a corrosive acid. For this reason, acid fluxes tend not to be used when soldering electrical or electronic connections although some are mildly Active above a certain temperature but form a useful insulating coating when cooled.


Soldering Fluxes

Note: After Soldering with an Active Flux (e.g. Baker's Fluid), the workpiece may need washing with Bicarbonate of Soda to neutralise the acid and halt further corrosion.


Multi-cored Solder
Used extensively for electronics work, the solder has cores of Rosin Flux (aka Resin Flux) built-in such that, when introduced to the heated work piece, both solder and flux flow together. Rosin has been in common use as an electronics flux. It is active as a flux above 70ºC, but below that temperature becomes a varnish with good insulating properties and is not corrosive.
HQ Tind Solder 100 g
Bakers Fluid
A water based flux containing Zinc Chloride and other salts commonly used for soldering and tinning of copper, brass and tinned materials. For most applications, the flux can be applied by brushing, this being the most convenient method of controlling where the flux is placed. Zinc Chloride containing fluxes are corrosive and flux residues should be removed as soon as possible after cooling by washing with water, preferably warm, and may need neutralising with Bicarbonate of Soda halt further corrosion.
Bakers No.3 Soldering Fluid
Fluxite
Fluxite is a traditional grease paste flux used for Soft Soldering. It can be brushed onto the surfaces to be soldered and will also adhere to the solder stick prior to applying the heat. Fluxite is also Zinc Chloride activated and residues require removal when the soldering process is complete.
Fluxite FLU100 Solder
Telux
General purpose soldering flux suitable for Copper, Brass and Mild Steel. It is soft and easy to apply in a thin film and often used by Plumbers when making pipe joints for example. Telux is UK WRAS listed for use with both hot & cold water including potable water. It is also suitable for use with gas pipework.
Templers Telux Soldering Flux
Easy Flo
Easy-flo Flux Powder can be used on all of the common engineering materials such as copper, brass, mild steel and stainless steel, but not aluminium. It is used extensively in Silver Soldering operations in which it is mixed with a little water then brushed along the joint prior to heating.
Solder Connection FL-034-007 Johnson Matthey Easy-Flo Brazing Flux Powder, 250 g
SIF
SIF-Flux is a fine powder mixture of borax and boric acid. These preparations are not considered hazardous, but do contain very mild irritants. SIF Bronze Brazing Flux Powder is for use on steel components being Brazed with a brass brazing alloy. Use by heating the brazing rod and dipping into the flux powder to coat it then bring both together to the heated metal
SIF Brazing Flux
Borax
Borax is used mixed with water as a flux for Silver Soldering and when soldering jewellery metals such as gold or silver. It allows the molten solder to flow evenly over the joint in question. It is commonly supplied as a Borax Cone and a rough surface earthenware dish on which it is ground with a little water to make a thin flux paste.
Borax Cone and Dish


DT Online Buyers' Guide
Soldering Iron Station Multicore Solder LED Magnifier with Clamps and Soldering Stand Soldering Mat Soldering Flux Soft Solder Bakers Soldering Fluid Solder Flux Brushes Gas Soldering & Brazing Torch
Soldering Iron Station Multicore Solder LED Magnifier with Clamps and Soldering Stand Soldering Mat Soldering Flux Soft Solder Bakers Soldering Fluid Solder Flux Brushes Gas Soldering & Brazing Torch
DT Online Buyers' Guide
LPG Gas Torch Gas Soldering & Brazing Torch Silver Solder Strip Easy-Flo Flux Borax Cone and Dish Brazing Rods Sifbronze Brazing Flux Iron Binding Wire
LPG Gas Torch Gas Soldering & Brazing Torch Silver Solder Strip Easy-Flo Flux Borax Cone and Dish Brazing Rods Sifbronze Brazing Flux Iron Binding Wire