Soldering iron tips correct selection and maintenance

The correct choice of the flame iron head can achieve better welding at the lowest temperature, and maximize the service life of the iron head. The main reasons for PCB manufacturers to choose flame iron heads are as follows. Select the proper shape of the soldering iron tip according to the type of the component to be soldered. For example: when disassembling SOIC, a two-piece flat-shovel horseshoe-shaped iron head should be selected, and when removing QFP / PLCC, a square-shaped soldering iron head should be selected. Select a soldering iron tip of appropriate size according to the size of the solder joints of the component being welded, for example: a small solder joint can use a conical grid iron

Correct                                     Too small                                   Too large

Correct use and maintenance of soldering iron tips

1. When soldering for the first time, the tin wire should contact the tip of the soldering iron from a low temperature (about 183 ℃), and do not go beyond the tinned section of the soldering iron. PCB manufacturers avoid using a soldering iron tip or rub the device pins during usage to prevent plating damage and soldering iron deformation.

2. The temperature-controlled flame iron is best not to exceed 350 ℃. Excessively high setting temperature will accelerate the damage to the coating.

3. Clean the soldering iron tip and add tin to the soldering iron tip to facilitate heat conduction. Keep tin on the iron head, and clean the iron head at any time.

4. The high acidity of the flux in the solder wire core will also affect the life of the flame iron head. Do not use the flux to clean the flame iron head.

5. The viscosity and humidity of the foam plastic used for cleaning should be appropriate, and the soldering iron tip will easily oxidize when contacted with water.

6. Iron-plated nickel alloy flame iron head, do not scrape the oxide layer with a knife or other things, and do not use a hard object to strike the tin slag on the iron head (except for white copper iron head).

7. When the PCB manufacturer does not use the electric soldering iron for a long time, the power should be turned off in time to aviod the oxidation with the iron flame of the soldering iron head and shorten the service life.

8. Before turning off the soldering iron, add tin to the soldering iron tip to avoid accelerating oxidation.