How to make rosin for soldering - Metals and their processing

How to make liquid rosin for soldering

Rosin contains from 60 to 90% resin acid (abietic acid), from 1 to 12% fatty acids and up to 20% neutral substances. Rosin does not dissolve in plain water, but it dissolves well in alcohol, benzene or acetone; dissolution is slightly worse in kerosene.

At temperatures from 40 to 75° Celsius it softens well, and at 100-140° the melting process begins, boiling occurs at 250°.

When organic and mineral substances are added to the composition, a special rosin soap is obtained, and when dissolved with polyhydric alcohol, a rosin ester is obtained.

Rosin found its main use in amateur radio when soldering radio components. Pine rosin is an excellent and cheap soldering flux.

Despite the modern abundance of chemical fluxes, it still continues to be actively used in electronics. Rosin melted by a soldering iron tip easily removes the oxide layer from the surface of radio elements undergoing the soldering process.

In addition, rosin reduces the surface tension of the solder and helps it spread evenly over the entire plane.

Before the soldering process, the tip of the soldering iron is dipped in rosin, then it is used to touch the solder, after which it is touched to the place where the parts are soldered. The main advantage of rosin, which has retained its popularity as a soldering flux, is its acid neutrality, since raw materials of natural origin are used in its production.

Unlike other acid-based fluxes, the soldering area does not corrode and there is no current leakage through it. As a soldering flux, rosin is used both in pure form and in combination with various substances.

The simplest flux made from it is a solution in pure medical alcohol in a ratio of 4 to 6.

The technology for soldering metal parts using rosin is very simple and accessible to beginner radio amateurs. The heated tip of the soldering iron is dipped into frozen rosin, after which it takes a small piece of solder and applies it to the surface of the part to be soldered.

The same algorithm is repeated with another part, which is connected to the first. Then both metal surfaces are superimposed on each other and a heated soldering iron is brought to them, whose tip is again covered with rosin and solder.

As a result, the molten solder forms a special monolithic mass, which, when hardened, will well connect the surfaces into one whole.

And so we take an ordinary crystal of frozen amateur radio rosin.

Then we grind a piece of rosin into dust, for this we take some non-porous fabric or paper, place a crystal in it, and beat it with a hammer until a homogeneous mass is obtained. This is necessary for good dissolution of rosin in ethyl alcohol.

Next, pour this rosin dust into a bottle and fill it with pure ethyl alcohol in a ratio of 1 to 1.5 (rosin: alcohol).

Read also: Chainsaw partner 350 where is the breather located

We close the bottle with a lid and place the glass bottle in a bowl of warm water. When the solution heats up, you need to shake the mixture well so that it turns into a homogeneous mass. That's all, now the flux is ready, pump it into medical syringes and use it comfortably.

Recently, a radio amateur has been given a wide selection of fluxes to choose from, all possible chemical active and super active fluxes for soldering, which are well worth the money. They all have their pros and cons, and every solderer likes his own. Opinions may vary, but I express my opinion.

In my opinion, rosin is one of the best fluxes; I have been using rosin for 3 years of my practice. And there are a number of reasons why rosin is the best:

— Firstly, this is an environmentally friendly product. For those in the tank, rosin is pine resin, which means it is natural. — Secondly, rosin is easily washed off with alcohol, which means removing excess rosin from the printed circuit board will not be difficult, which means there will be no interference between tracks

— Thirdly, rosin is easy to get. Where to buy rosin? Rosin can be bought at almost any hardware store, in music stores (my grandfather rosined a violin bow) and at radio markets

— Fourthly, this is probably individuality, I adore the smell of rosin (it looks like a drug addict :))

It is especially good if the rosin is liquid. But liquid rosin also costs well, so liquid rosin can be made at home. To make liquid rosin ourselves, we will need regular rosin in crystals and regular “red cap” alcohol.

Homemade liquid rosin

And so we take an ordinary rosin crystal

1. We crush the rosin crystal into dust, it is very convenient to do this if you have a crushed one in the kitchen (everyone has a different name for an iron deep pot), but if you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter. You need to take some very thick paper, put it in an envelope and put rosin in it, wrap it all in some kind of non-porous fabric so that nothing spills over, and hit it all with a hammer, a rolling pin, whatever is convenient.

The crystals are broken until there is a homogeneous mass. This is necessary for good dissolution of rosin in alcohol.

Here is the dust of broken rosin

2. All dust must be filled with alcohol with a ratio of 1:1.5 (rosin: alcohol).
It is convenient to do this using the same alcohol bottle. Pour rosin into half a bottle of alcohol until the desired ratio of components appears. And make sure that about 1/5 of the bottle remains free!

3. Close the lid and place the bottle in a bowl of warm water (60-80C) when the solution heats up, start well - shake the solution well so that it dissolves into a homogeneous mass! That's all, now we pump the solution into syringes and use it conveniently.

Good luck with your reps and be careful and take precautions!

Read also: D814b characteristics and analogues

Soldering flux

To prepare soldering flux from soap, we will need. Plant-based “Duru” soap, acid (I used hydrochloric acid, or acetic acid) and rosin.

If you use soap based on animal fats, then when soldering, the flux will smell very unpleasant. Soldering flux, made from plant-based soap, does not smell when soldering. The only smell you will smell is the aroma of the soap used and the rosin.

Preparing flux for soldering

This soldering flux recipe is quite competitive with sold fluxes. But of course, it’s up to you to decide what’s better, buy or make it yourself.

Obtaining stearin

I took 3 pieces of soap (you can take a half or a quarter of a piece of soap for testing), and grated it on a coarse grater.

Next, I added hot (no matter) water to the soap and put it on the stove to warm up. Stir occasionally as it heats up. As soon as the soap dissolved, I turned off the gas stove.

In order not to spoil the pan with hydrochloric acid, I poured the soap solution into a plastic basin (if you use table vinegar, you do not need to pour it).

I poured about half of this product containing hydrochloric acid into a hot soapy solution. The solution began to coagulate, and flakes of stearin began to float on the surface.

At this stage, you need to check the presence of acid in the solution; to do this, add baking soda to the container at the tip of the knife. The acid should react with the soda in the form of a hiss. If there is no reaction, then you need to add more acid.

Remember, this is important, the acid content in the solution must be in excess.

If there is no fizz, then the reaction will not be complete and the yield of the finished product will not be complete (you need to pour soda into the solution itself, clearing the way to it by stirring with a stick, and not just on top of the stearin, I think this is clear).

I let the solution stand for 20 minutes and put it in water (in the bath) to cool. As soon as it cooled down to room temperature, I took it out onto the balcony for the convenience of further separating the solution from the resulting one (it was +1 degree outside). In the summer, you can limit yourself only to cooling in cold water.

I strongly recommend that during all subsequent operations, keep paper napkins or toilet paper on hand to wipe your hands, as the resulting stearin is greasy.

Stearin purification

I drained all the liquid and washed it with cold (ice) water. I collected everything in an iron container.

By the way, used containers and accessories can be washed well in warm water with washing powder (I used Tide).

He poured water into the container and put it on low heat. Heated the resulting stearin until it melted. Bring the solution to a boil and cook for 10 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly. Then he took it off the heat and put it in water to cool.

Read also: How to detect listening devices

As soon as the mixture cooled, I picked out the resulting stearin, drained the water and removed the loose layer from below (threw it away). I washed the piece with cold (ice) water and wiped it with toilet paper to remove any remaining loose layer and water.

Source: https://morflot.su/kak-sdelat-zhidkuju-kanifol-dlja-pajki/

How to make your own flux for soldering

The flux ensures stable arc burning, promotes the formation of a reliable welded joint, removes unnecessary impurities from the welding zone and generally improves the quality of work. Flux can be bought in the store; modern manufacturers offer a large assortment. But we suggest you make the flux yourself. It won't take much time, but it will save you money.

Mainly, soldering flux is used for welding wires and small parts. There is also a special flux for bga soldering. In this article we will share a "recipe" for making different types of flux or, more simply put, solder, which can be used in most small soldering jobs.

Varieties

Before you start making flux, you need to understand its types and features. To connect two parts, you need to maintain a certain temperature in the welding zone; depending on the metal, it can vary greatly.

In this case, the melting temperature of the solder should be noticeably higher than the melting temperature of the metal you are working with. This leads to the peculiarities of flux selection.

You need to consider the materials you are joining together, their melting point and strength.

Generally speaking, fluxes are hard and soft. Hard fluxes have a high melting point, while soft fluxes have a low melting point. They are also called refractory and low-melting. If the part to be welded is thin, use a soft flux. If it is larger in diameter and requires long-term heating, then use hard refractory solder.

Refractory flux (or solder) melts at a very high temperature (from 400 degrees Celsius) and ensures the formation of a strong connection. But when using such a flux, parts often overheat and may not work. This problem is especially relevant for radio engineers and anyone who is interested in electronics.

Low-melting flux melts at low temperatures and allows it to be used when working with boards and circuits, for example. This flux consists mostly of lead and to a lesser extent of tin. It may additionally contain impurities of other metals. There are separate low-melting fluxes that melt at temperatures up to 150 degrees. They are used when working with transistors.

A high-quality flux should conduct heat unhindered, ensure the strength of the welded joint, have good stretchability, protect the seam from corrosion and be resistant to the melting temperature of the metal.

Manufacturers produce soldering flux in the form of wire, rosin tubes, tapes and many others. Most craftsmen use tin rods with diameters of no more than 5 mm.

There are also so-called multi-channel solders, in which there are several sources of flux. These solders provide a particularly strong connection. They are sold in the form of reels, spirals and skeins. If you will use solder only once, you can purchase a piece of wire, 5 centimeters will be enough for you. For soldering boards and circuits, a flux tube with colophony inside is used.

This solder is perfect for joining silver or brass parts.

Regardless of the type of flux you use, the soldering area after work should be wiped with a rag pre-moistened in acetone. The seam itself can be cleaned using a small stiff brush previously soaked in solvent.

Soldering itself as a method of joining metals has a number of advantages. With it you can achieve a durable and sealed seam that is resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Also, soldering does not require special skills; this work can be performed by a person with minimal theoretical knowledge.

Instructions for making flux

So, how to make soldering flux with your own hands? It all depends on the destination. If you need to solder thin wires, you can use rods with a diameter of 1 mm. We will make them ourselves.

We will need a small bottle or any other vessel with a flat bottom. We make a hole in the bottom with the diameter we need (in this case 1-2 mm). We take lead or tin and melt it using a gas burner. Pour it into our bottle. Molten metal will begin to flow out of the hole; you need to prepare the surface in advance. You can use a sheet of tin, for example. The resulting “rods” must harden, then they need to be cut.

Experienced craftsmen use special molds to make rods.

Also look at the review of bga soldering flux. There are also liquid fluxes, fluxes in the form of a gel or paste. They are now very popular and are available from any manufacturer. This is not surprising, because such fluxes do not cause oxidation, prevent the formation of corrosion, do not conduct current, and the soldering area does not need to be cleaned after work. This flux can also be made at home.

We will need rosin crystals, which need to be crushed into powder. Wrap the crystals in a thick cloth and tap them with a hammer (preferably a wood hammer or a meat mallet). Mix the powder and alcohol in a one to one ratio. Alcohol can be purchased at a pharmacy.

It is advisable to mix in a glass container, such as a small jar. Thoroughly mix the alcohol with the powder and place the jar in hot water. Mix everything thoroughly again until it has a homogeneous consistency.

Ready! The resulting flux can be used with a medical syringe or poured into an empty nail polish bottle.

Soldering may release substances that are hazardous to your health. Use protective gloves, a mask and goggles in your work. Do not purchase fluxes from little-known manufacturers, do not chase the lowest price. If possible, make your own flux. Follow safety precautions. This way you will reduce the likelihood of poisoning from flux vapors.

Instead of a conclusion

Now you know how to prepare soldering flux at home. This skill will be needed by both those who rarely use flux and those who use it constantly in their work. You don't need to have special skills or look for rare components. All materials for making flux can be found in a radio engineering store or pharmacy. Describe your flux making experience in the comments to help other beginners, and share this article on your social networks. Good luck!

THIS IS INTERESTING: Eye burn from welding, what to do

Source: https://svarkaed.ru/rashodnye-materialy/flyus-i-svarochnaya-provoloka/kak-svoimi-rukami-prigotovit-flyus-dlya-pajki.html

Do-it-yourself flux for soldering aluminum, iron, copper, steel - Asutpp

The joining of two or more non-metallic or metallic materials and substances by means of an added metal is called soldering. We propose to consider what soldering flux is, how you can make it yourself, and also consider the characteristics and how to make solder for copper, silver, tin, and stainless steel.

Soldering and its features

To obtain a truly high-quality connection, you need to maintain a special temperature in the seam area. On average, this indicator varies between 50-100 degrees. It is also taken into account that the temperature threshold required for the solder to melt is much higher than simply for melting the metal being processed. Positive qualities of soldering:

complete tightness of the connected parts;
high strength of connections;
significant savings in time and effort compared to welding processes;
At the soldering sites, a special film layer is formed that resists corrosion and oxidation of metals.

Types of solder

Solders are a fairly specific series of substances that must meet the following conditions:

High thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity;
Good strength and high elongation coefficient;
Corrosion resistance;
Transformation into a liquid medium when exposed to welding temperature;
Contrasting magnitude of cooling of solder metal and crystallization of solder.

These substances vary depending on the temperature of the soldering process, and are soft and hard.

Flux table

Soft soldering

Soft soldering can only be carried out to temperatures lower than 400 degrees Celsius. These substances make it possible to ensure the formation of a truly strong and at the same time soft seam, which will not only be relatively flexible but also have good resistance to corrosion and physical influences.

Soft solders include:

Lead-tin
Low tin solders
Special and easy to melt

Solder, whose operating temperature is 185 ÷ 267˚С, combines tin and lead. Antimony is also added in small quantities. Before purchasing, be sure to check GOST, all information on solder is indicated there.

For example, POS 40 - the last digit means that this substance contains 40% tin, on average 3 to 5 percent of antimony is added, the rest is lead. These solders are used for joining seams that do not require resiliency, i.e.

not loaded, not subject to beating or constant vibration.

Lead-free flux is also used for soldering. They are also called low-tin compounds. They are mainly used for connecting small circuit boards, contacts on delicate electrical circuits, etc. The maximum permissible melting temperature is 330 degrees Celsius.

The most common ones are low-melting type solders, temperatures from 60 degrees to 145. They are purchased for low-temperature soldering or very careful manual welding. In particular, they cannot be called basic solders, because they have very little strength and elasticity. They are more often used for re-soldering or step soldering.

In some cases, it is necessary to produce a special composition; its properties are adjusted directly for materials that cannot be soldered (this is a flux for nickel, low-carbon steel, aluminum, tungsten and cast iron).

Consider the most popular mixtures:

Fluxes for soldering aluminum must be tin-based; they also contain borax, zinc, cadmium, but they still contain more than 99% tin. Zinc and cadmium are necessary for increased diffusion, which can penetrate even deep layers of aluminum.
Flux paste or gel for soldering microcircuits; such solders are also used for printed circuit boards.

Flux gel

For such alloys, solders are supplied in a variety of relatively thick compositions, rods, strips and wire spools (as for welding). There are also ingots that are half filled with rosin flux.

Brazing alloys for soldering

The composition of fluxes for hard soldering is used to connect problem areas that are constantly susceptible to the negative effects of the environment (vibrations, temperature changes, shocks, etc.). These are mainly compounds for high-temperature soldering, from 400 degrees Celsius and above. These include:

Solder for copper and zinc hard alloy (up to 1000);
Phosphorus and copper (up to 900 degrees);
Pure copper is used for the soldering process of high-carbon iron;
No-clean flux, for silver soldering (up to 800 degrees inclusive).

Hard-melting solders also have their own distribution; they are refractory, with a melting temperature of 850 degrees, and low-melting - with a temperature above this temperature range.

It should be noted that a mixture of copper (grades M21, M11 and others are used) and zinc is not widespread enough; due to its low strength and relatively expensive cost, in most cases it can be successfully replaced by solder made of bronze with zinc or brass.

Copper-phosphorus type solders are substitutes for very expensive silver fluxes. They are indispensable when joining copper metals, bronze, brass and other metal compounds that should not be subject to bending or shock loads. By the way, this alloy is also called solder for flux-free soldering (but not for copper).

It is strictly forbidden to use these alloys for soldering iron, ferrous metals, low-carbon steels, because when exposed to temperature and combined with copper or phosphorus, a very fragile chemical element is formed - iron phosphides, which will cause the seam to come apart.

Due to metal-phosphorous solders, iron phosphides are formed, which are too brittle compounds and contribute to a decrease in the quality of the metal; they are not recommended for soldering iron.

Making your own soldering flux

The best option for such soldering processes is silver solders. They are the most expensive. And they are also used to connect wires, capillary mesh of wires, and very complex circuit boards made of silver components.

Other types of flux

Fluxes with pronounced anti-corrosion properties. These are compounds based on phosphorus acid and a solvent, which when interacting form organic compounds. They are very beneficial to use because after the soldering process there is no need to use special cleaners;
Liquid fluxes made from salicylic acid, petroleum jelly, gold and ethyl alcohol. This is the most convenient connection for radiators and soldering electrical wires.
This flux ensures high seam cleanliness and neatness;
In order to produce neutral flux for electrical devices with high precision requirements (time relays, switches, for connecting mobile phone contacts, etc.) you will need rosin-air connections.

Rosin is very low-active and should only be used on prepared metals, previously cleaned and tinned; Rosin
Activated fluxes are borax and rosin. In most cases it is used for plumbing connections and soldering of copper pipes. The main difference is the fact that borax melts at a temperature of 70 degrees, without releasing absolutely any harmful compounds.

This is only one variety; Borax
In order to prepare activated fluxes, you can use the following recipe: mix rosin, aniline, add a little anhydride, salicylic acid and diethylamine. This is a good option for making soldering for assembly fasteners.

General tips on fluxes

Homemade flux for soldering is not always a profitable option; sometimes it is actually more profitable to buy it, especially since in most cases the price allows, say, smd or bga. At the moment, more than a hundred domestic companies produce fluxes and mixtures for soldering and welding, among which we can recommend LTI 120, Brazetec, Harris, RMA, Sanha, Welco (average cost from 80 rubles).

Sales are carried out in any electrical appliance store and market in all cities: Yekaterinburg, Minsk, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Kharkov, Chelyabinsk, Rostov-on-Don.

It should be noted that in any case, during the welding or soldering process, gases are released that can harm the body, but if you use professional mixtures, this harm will be much lower, so opt for well-known brands.

Source: https://www.asutpp.ru/flyus-dlya-pajki.html

How to use rosin for soldering: what is it made from?

When soldering, the heated solder oxidizes and must be coated with a protective compound. At home and for low-temperature industrial work, it is convenient to use rosin for soldering. Natural flux has a low melting point and does not emit harmful substances. To penetrate rosin into small crevices, it is dissolved, making a liquid or gel flux.

What is rosin: advantages and disadvantages

Coniferous trees differ from others in their high resin content. If you clean them and remove the water and turpentine, you get a yellow solid - rosin . It is used in the manufacture of many substances. The resin for soldering is pine. It does not contain substances that reduce dielectric characteristics. Other impurities in minimal quantities.

Rosin is a natural flux and has its advantages for those who like to solder at home:

sold freely;
low cost;
natural, does not emit harmful substances;
It’s easy to create your own liquid composition;
low melting point;
high fluidity.

Working with natural flux is easy. Even novice radio amateurs know how to use rosin when soldering. When working at home, it is convenient to use the low melting point of rosin for soldering. In this case, there is no need for enhanced ventilation; simple ventilation of the room is sufficient.

The shelf life of the resin is unlimited . Solid, irregularly shaped crystals can remain in a closed jar for years without losing their properties.

Natural flux also has disadvantages. Rosin, which does not dissolve in water, is at the same time hygroscopic. It absorbs moisture. The soldered joint begins to oxidize. Places where parts are soldered must be immediately coated with protective varnish and other substances.

Methods of obtaining

Soldering flux is obtained from pine sap . Rosin can be obtained from other coniferous trees, but it will contain more impurities. Pine resin is cleaned by heating water and turpentine out of it. The result is a solid, irregularly shaped pieces. Rosin of the Zhivitsa variety is the purest and does not contain fatty acids.

Gasoline is used to make Extraction Rosin. The resin is dissolved in it, then the composition is filtered to remove impurities. After this, the solvent is evaporated. The result is orange or light brown rosin. It is inferior in quality to Zhivitsa, since its acid number is higher.

When making sulfate soap, a by-product is released - tallow rosin . Its composition depends on the materials used and processing technology.

How to make liquid?

Solid soldering flux is not always convenient to use. If the metal is located horizontally and there is a lot of space on the board for working with a soldering iron, just take a piece of flux, melt it and add solder. Often the position of the part is horizontal and the tin flows off. In this case, liquid pine flux is used.

Grind the rosin and pour into a glass container.
Fill with acetone.
Dissolve by placing a sealed container in hot water and shaking regularly.

Acetone can be replaced with turpentine, gasoline, ethyl alcohol and mineral oil to create a DIY soldering flux from rosin . When working with parts of any complexity, it is enough to apply the resulting liquid with a brush.

You can also make a gel. To do this, mix rosin with petroleum jelly. After dissolution, you can fill a syringe without a needle with the composition and apply flux or use a thick composition to rub the surface.

What can be replaced?

Why is rosin needed when soldering and what is it replaced with? The flux must dissolve metal oxides and coat the solder as it melts, protecting it from air . Depending on the metal that is being soldered, borax and shellac varnishes are used. Copper is soldered using wax and Vaseline. Mixed compositions are often created to work with bronze.

To work with not very critical parts, if you don’t have the necessary flux on hand, you can crush an aspirin tablet and drop some water. After mixing everything until smooth, use for soldering.

Organic fat can dissolve the oxide film. It is necessary to take into account its property of melting at low temperatures. Upon completion of work, any remaining grease should be washed off immediately.

Where else can resin be used?

Using tree resin as an additive to paints speeds up their drying . In electrical engineering you can find cables covered with paper impregnated with resins. The low dielectric constant of rosin allows it to be used for impregnation and creation of an insulating layer between high voltage wires.

The car has several components that can be repaired by soldering; the radiator especially often needs to be repaired, eliminating leaks.

Rosin is inserted into the fire fuse. It melts when the heating temperature of the device increases, breaking the circuit and protecting the equipment from overheating.

Familiar with the natural product and bowed instrument. Before each concert, musicians rub their bow with rosin. Rubbing gives the surface the ability to cause small vibrations as it slides along the string. The sound is deeper and richer. At home, you can stick a pin into a tree and tie a thread to it. It is enough to pass a piece of resin along a stretched thread and the pin will “sing.”

Soldering technology

For high-quality soldering with rosin, preparation begins with stripping the metal at the joint. It is necessary to remove dirt mechanically, remove grease using gasoline or alcohol.

The soldering iron will serve much better if it is tinning - covering the lower part of the tip with a thin layer of flux. To do this, the tool is warmed up and dipped into a jar of rosin or liquid flux is applied with a brush. The coating should be uniform, without gaps.

A piece of rosin is applied to the soldering area and melted. When the entire place is cleaned, the oxides are dissolved, solder is applied. It is melted, distributed, and it connects the parts. After cooling, tinning and varnishing are done.

The ends of the wires are first coated with flux, melting it with a soldering iron, then solder is applied, distributed evenly so that it covers the outside of the wire and connects all the fibers.

Alcohol composition

Previously, rosin for soldering was sold only in liquid form . Mainly alcohol solutions were used. It is convenient to work with them on any soldering area. Why melt solid pieces of resin and disperse hot liquid over the board, if it is much easier to apply a solution with a brush that will penetrate into the narrowest places and fill cracks.

If the volume of work is large, you can cover the entire area with an alcohol composition at once and gradually melt the flux in the soldering areas. The correct rosin solution contains an equal amount of components and adheres well to the metal surface.

Tubular solders

Tubular solder is a thin tube filled with flux . The correct consumable for the job should match as closely as possible the chemical composition of what is already on the board. If it is not known what was soldered before, the entire board is cleaned.

Modern technologies make it possible to fill a tube with rosin or other flux without breaks and with the same density along the entire length.

Soldering with tubular fluxes controls the amount of material. After work, there is no need to wipe the board, freeing it from any remaining rosin.

Rosin is a universal flux used for soldering non-ferrous metals. It is a natural product and does not adversely affect health. In many oil and fat fluxes, recycled resin is added to improve the properties.

Source: https://svarka.guru/payka/oborudovaniya/kanifol.html

Improvised means as flux for soldering

Fluxes are substances of organic or inorganic composition used in soldering metals. Their purpose is to reduce the surface tension forces of the molten solder and ensure better uniform spreading.

In addition, the flux protects the soldering surface from exposure to oxygen, and thereby prevents oxidation. In many cases, homemade flux can replace liquid or powder prepared in production. You just need to know what materials to use for it.

Main types

Fluxes are active (acidic) and passive (acid-free).

The former actively influence the top layer of metal during the soldering process, partially changing its chemical structure, the latter simply wash away oxides from the surface and create a thin film that prevents the access of oxygen.

After use, active fluxes must be washed off from the surfaces of brazed parts, as residual substances can cause corrosion. You can wash it off with water with a little added alkali.

Soldering acid, rosin, solder fat, and flux pastes are used as fluxes. The quality of soldering of various metals depends on the type of material and its characteristics.

After all, for each specific case, ideally, you need to select the most suitable composition.

The flux can be included in the solder paste or sealed into a hollow solder tube to improve soldering ease.

There are many ready-made soldering fluxes available in solid, liquid and gel form. If you urgently need to carry out soldering work, but there are no consumables at hand, you can prepare such a composition yourself, using improvised means.

Of course, a homemade, hastily prepared flux will be inferior in quality and characteristics to that produced in a factory, but it will be able to ensure high-quality soldering.

Aspirin and citric acid

To make flux, you can use any substances that have good solvent and antioxidant properties.

It can be:

alcohols;
acids;
vegetable and animal oils.

The simplest flux is prepared by dissolving a tablet or powder of acetylsalicylic acid in water. Acetylsalicylic acid is in the medicine cabinet in almost every home (this is the most common cheap aspirin). It is necessary to dissolve the tablets or powder until the sediment disappears.

Citric acid powder (white granules) is also used.

There are tips to use lemon juice, but it is quite weak, so the effect of its use will be subtle.

When soldering with aspirin or lemon juice, a lot of gas is released, so the room in which they are worked must be equipped with an exhaust hood or well ventilated.

Alcohol, glycerin, rosin

You can get a good alcohol-rosin flux by dissolving rosin in ethyl alcohol. First you need to crush the rosin in a mortar as finely as possible.

Rosin dissolves very slowly in alcohol, and the speed of flux preparation will depend on its thorough grinding. After mixing the alcohol with rosin, it is better to leave the future flux for several hours to complete the dissolution.

You can speed up the process by placing the solution in a sealable glass container and heating it to 80 ℃ in a water bath. Alcohol rosin flux is completely neutral and does not even require rinsing after soldering.

Ethyl alcohol can be successfully replaced with glycerin. This glycerin flux will be thicker than alcohol rosin and will be more convenient to use. In this case, the dissolution of rosin will slow down.

It will be much more effective to first dissolve it in alcohol and then mix it with glycerin. In this case, the activity of the composition will significantly increase, but you will have to wash off the residue from the soldered workpieces.

It’s even possible to make rosin yourself, although it will take time. It is necessary to collect resin from pine trunks in warm, dry weather and melt it.

Can be used for soldering as a flux or its component, rosin for bowed string instruments. It is of very high quality and well cleaned. But its price is much higher than that of soldering rosin.

Hydrochloric and phosphoric acid

A very effective flux is obtained by dissolving zinc granules in hydrochloric acid. To do this, concentrated acid must be diluted in equal parts with water and the granules placed in a glass container should be poured with this solution. For complete dissolution, zinc will be required at the rate of 412 g per 1 liter of hydrochloric acid.

The dissolution process will be accompanied by a rapid release of hydrogen from the acid, so it is better to prepare in rooms with very good ventilation and away from open fire.

Using flux obtained from hydrochloric acid, steel workpieces are successfully soldered. If you add ammonia to the solution (the same amount as zinc), then this composition can be used when soldering absolutely any metals and alloys.

A good flux is phosphoric acid. It is used when soldering nichrome and stainless steel.

Liquid fluxes are best applied with a thin brush, and should be stored in a tightly sealed glass container with a narrow neck.

Application of fat

Soldering flux can be made from fat with a fairly high melting point. Then at room temperature it will not soften on its own, which will make it easier to work with.

To obtain such a flux, the fat must be melted and mixed with crushed rosin and ammonia in a certain proportion. For three parts of fat by volume you will need the same amount of ammonia and one part of rosin.

For ease of use, the finished flux can be placed in the body of a medical disposable syringe and, if necessary, squeeze out the required amount.

If you are not sure whether a homemade flux is suitable for soldering a part, then you can do a little research. It is necessary to distribute the prepared substance over the surface of a piece of the same metal that is to be soldered.

If, when heated, the flux is evenly distributed over the surface, then it is considered suitable for soldering. If it collects in balls and flows down, then it will be able to provide satisfactory wettability of the part.

The ability to dissolve the oxide film on the metal surface is checked by washing off the applied flux. If the surface remains clean after washing, then the flux dissolves oxides well. On the contrary, if traces of an oxide film or rust remain, then soldering with this flux cannot be performed.

Source: https://svaring.com/soldering/flus/izgotovlenie-svoimi-rukami

How to make rosin at home - Metals, equipment, instructions

Rosin is a light yellow, brittle and hard substance that consists of resinous substances obtained from coniferous trees after distilling off turpentine.

Depending on what type of raw material it is obtained from, it comes in different types. Resin rosin is obtained after distilling turpentine from purified resin. Extraction - after extraction of resinous wood, most often pine, with gasoline. Talwood is prepared by the method of fractional distillation of tall oil.

Coniferous resin in everyday life and in folk medicine

Rosin is used for sizing paper, for making sealing wax, varnishes, soap, ointments, plasters, lubricating oils, plastics and electrical cables. It is also used in everyday life for soldering various metals. Violinists rub rosin on their bows, and dancers rub the soles of their shoes.

How to make rosin at home

To prepare rosin at home, you will need resin from coniferous trees. The most commonly used resins are pine and spruce resins. To do this, the resin needs to be scraped off with a spoon and placed in a tin can or pot.
It is best to cook rosin over an open fire, since turpentine vapors during cooking have a very specific smell.
You need to put resin in the pot and put it on the fire. Periodically you need to stir it and collect floating debris and foam.
The resin must be heated until the boiling stops and the turpentine ceases to be released. Do not build a strong fire, as turpentine vapors are highly flammable.
If this happens, under no circumstances should you fill it with water, but rather cover the pot with a piece of thick fabric, limiting the access of oxygen to it.
After the boiling stops, the pot will have a viscous mass of light yellow color. You need to prepare cardboard forms in advance into which rosin is poured.
Cardboard for preparing molds is the optimal material, as it is convenient to remove the finished product from it.
If you need the purest rosin, you can strain it hot using a metal strainer. Since it hardens very quickly, you need to work at maximum speed.
The rosin must be left in the air for it to harden. It is better not to pour the remains at the bottom of the pot into the mold, as debris usually accumulates there.

In folk medicine, rosin is used mainly externally. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antiallergic properties.

It is also an excellent preservative and allows you to extend the shelf life of ointments for a longer period.

Ointments for healing purulent wounds, trophic ulcers, burns and dermatitis

1. To prepare the ointment, you need to take twenty-five grams of rosin, beeswax and vegetable oil. Place in a steam bath and heat until dissolved. Then add fifty grams of propolis. Bring the ointment to a boil, but do not boil. Apply the ointment to the wound twice a day and cover with a sterile bandage. Use until complete recovery.

2. Twenty grams of wax, forty grams of butter, fifteen grams of vegetable oil and twenty-five grams of rosin. All ingredients should be melted in a water bath.

The ointment should be applied to a cotton cloth in a layer of about three millimeters and applied to the wound. The dressing needs to be changed up to three times a day. The course of treatment is from three to fourteen days.

The ointment has an analgesic and antimicrobial effect.

3. You will need one part each of rosin, honey and olive oil. Heat rosin in a steam bath, add honey and olive oil. Wait until it dissolves, but do not bring to a boil. Cool the ointment and apply to the affected areas under a bandage.

A unique ointment for resolving tumors

The ointment is used externally for cysts on the ovaries and uterus, fibroids, fibroids and prostate adenoma.

To prepare the ointment, you will need one hundred grams of pine rosin, which must be melted in a water bath and added twenty grams of wax.
After the wax has dissolved, you need to pour in twenty milliliters of sunflower oil.

When the mixture acquires a homogeneous structure, you need to take a linen napkin, the dimensions of which are ten by fifteen centimeters. You need to apply a warm mixture to it and apply it to the lower abdomen. Shave your hair first. The napkin should remain on the body for three days, then it must be replaced with another one.

The finished ointment should be placed in a jar. It hardens, so it needs to be steamed before each use. A total of eight napkins will be needed for the course of treatment. The solution prepared at a time is enough for four napkins.

Remedy for external hemorrhoids

Heat three tablespoons of refined sunflower oil over low heat until smoke starts to appear, then add four tablespoons of crushed rosin and wait until the mass becomes homogeneous. Lubricate bumps and cracks three times a day until they are completely healed.

Miracle ointment for skin, joint problems and runny nose

The ointment is used to treat any skin diseases, as well as runny nose and joint problems. It should be used in small quantities.

For example, when you have a runny nose, you just need to touch the surface of the ointment with your little finger, spread it on the other little finger and lubricate it in your nose, and then apply a small amount to the wings of your nose. By morning the runny nose will go away.

To prepare, you will need one tablespoon each of St. John's wort, yarrow, purslane, horsetail, knotweed, linden flowers, acacia and elderberry.
One teaspoon each of dill, caraway and fennel seeds.
The plant mixture must be ground using a coffee grinder.
Place the powder in a container and pour one liter of a mixture of olive, corn and sunflower oils.
Place in a steam bath and simmer for five hours.
The product must be removed from the heat, cooled and strained through cheesecloth and squeezed out the grounds.
Place the oil in the bath again, and when it warms up slightly, add two hundred grams of crushed beeswax and fifty grams of rosin.
First you need to hard boil three fresh chicken eggs. You need to remove the yolks from them and mash them into crumbs using a fork. It needs to be added little by little to the mixture standing on the fire.
The ointment will foam a lot. Wait until the foam settles and add a small amount of yolk again. After all the yolks have been added, the ointment must be removed from the heat, allowed to cool slightly and strain through a nylon. Gauze will not work in this case. The finished product is poured into glass jars and stored in the refrigerator, using as needed.

Ointment for healing fistulas

You will need fifty grams of fresh, unsalted lard, the same amount of rosin and wax. Melt the lard over a fire and add wax and rosin, first crushing it into small pieces. After the ointment has dissolved, it must be removed from the heat and cooled. Apply to the affected area, cover with a bandage. Use morning and evening.

For psoriasis

You will need twenty grams of rosin, the same amount of purified sulfur and lamp oil. Boil everything in a water bath until it dissolves. The ointment must be carefully strained and poured into a dark glass jar. Use the ointment to lubricate psoriatic areas in the morning and evening.

Be careful! Rosin is poisonous, so it is not recommended to use it for internal use.

data-ad-format="auto">

Source: https://spb-metalloobrabotka.com/kak-sdelat-kanifol-v-domashnih-usloviyah/

How to solder correctly with a soldering iron: what is required for soldering using rosin - Machine

In the modern world, saturated with electronics and electrical appliances, you need to know how to use a soldering iron. This skill will save a lot of time and money on repairing broken appliances. Despite the apparent complexity of this process, it is actually very easy to learn how to solder correctly with a soldering iron.

Soldering technology is to use a metal that has a lower melting point to connect more refractory metals.

Soldering irons

Soldering irons have several types, differing from each other in the heating method. According to this criterion, they are divided into electric, hot-air, induction, and hammer. The most popular in everyday life are electric soldering irons with a spiral or ceramic heater.

For each type of work you need to use a soldering iron of a certain power. For example, for soldering electronics, you will need a low-power soldering iron up to 40 W, and for parts with walls up to 1 mm you will need a more powerful device up to 100 W.

To solder together parts with a thickness of more than 2 mm, you will already need an electric hammer soldering iron with a power of 200-550 W. Such a device is unsuitable for everyday use, as it is intended for large-scale work and has a huge price.

Solders

Solder is essentially an alloy of metals with a low melting point. Solder usually contains tin, but due to its high price, a cheaper material, lead, is added to it.

Also, solder often contains auxiliary substances that are used to improve soldering strength or reduce the melting point.

Soft solders marked from POS-18 to POS-90 are very popular. The number in this abbreviation means the percentage of tin in the solder.

Hard solders are rarely used at home. They contain copper and zinc, which allows the solder not to melt until the temperature reaches 450˚C.

You need to know that solders with different compositions are suitable for different types of metals. For steel, POS-41 is better suited, for copper almost any solder is suitable, and for stainless steel - tin solder with cadmium.

It is best to determine what metal will be used for soldering before purchasing solder and, based on this information, purchase the appropriate solder.

Flux

Flux is an auxiliary substance that is used to free parts from oxidation products during soldering. Fluxes also contribute to the spreading of metal during soldering.

There are a huge number of soldering fluxes on sale. There are both neutral and metal-active fluxes to varying degrees.

The most popular base for flux is rosin. It is fusible and begins to boil already when heated to 250 ˚C.

To learn how to solder with a soldering iron with rosin, you must know that after soldering you must completely remove the remaining rosin from the metal, otherwise oxidation of the metal will occur at this point.
Also, due to its hydrolyzing properties, rosin increases conductivity at the soldering site, which disrupts the operation of electronic devices.
It is also best to select the flux for the type of metal with which you plan to work - this will ensure high quality work.

Pastes

Solder pastes or tinol are a mixture of solder and flux. The paste is used for soldering in complex, hard-to-reach places. Tinol is also convenient to use for beginners without experience with a soldering iron.

Tool preparation

Don’t be afraid if the new soldering iron starts to smoke when you first turn it on. This occurs due to the burnout of the oil that preserves the instrument during long-term storage.

Before using a soldering iron, you should prepare its working part - the tip. It can be forged a little or sharpened to the required shape. If the working part of the soldering iron is coated with nickel, then such preparation is strictly prohibited.

The stores have a wide range of tips or tips for soldering irons, differing in sharpening. For large parts, a round tip with an angular sharpening is suitable, and for small parts, a sharp conical one.

If the soldering iron has a tip made of copper, then before work you need to tin it during the first heating. Tinning can be done by rubbing molten solder over a heated tip with a wooden block or by any other method.

The main thing is that upon first use the working part of the soldering iron is covered with a thin layer of solder. Otherwise, the soldering quality will be poor and the working part of the tool will be damaged.

Preparing parts

The preparation of parts does not depend on the metal from which they are made or the method of soldering them. Preparation always follows the same scheme - first the part is cleaned of contaminants and degreased.

For this purpose, use gasoline, acetone or other solvents. Rust must also be removed mechanically.

Temperature

The temperature of the soldering iron is the main parameter when working with it. When working with an insufficiently heated tool, the solder does not melt, but forms a lump.

To determine at what temperature you should solder, you need to know the melting temperature of the metal of the part and the solder. The temperature of the soldered parts should be 40-80 C˚ higher than the melting temperature of the solder, and the temperature of the tool tip should be 20-40 C˚ higher than the soldering temperature.

If the soldering iron does not have a temperature control function, then this parameter can be assessed using rosin. When touched by a soldering iron, it should boil, without instant combustion. Overheating will be indicated by the appearance on the solder, after touching it with a soldering iron, of a dark film consisting of oxidation products.

Soldering technique

Basically, soldering occurs in two ways: by applying solder to the parts using a soldering iron or by applying solder directly to the parts.
When using any of the methods, you must first clean and degrease the parts, secure them, heat the tool and treat the soldering area with flux.

If you are using a soldering iron to apply solder, melt a small amount of solder at the tip and transfer it to the soldering pad. Next you should move along the junction of the parts.

If solder is applied directly to the junction, then the parts are first heated with a soldering iron, and then solder is supplied there later.
If you plan to solder circuits, then it is better to find high-quality photo instructions on how to solder electronic circuits.

To evaluate the quality of work, you need to evaluate the color and shine of the junction. A high-quality solder has a pronounced shine; if the solder is burned through, it has a matte color and a fragile structure. The spongy structure of the solder indicates a defect.

For the first tests, it is best to use simple and inexpensive materials. The easiest way is to understand how to solder with tin and rosin correctly.

Photo recommendations on how to solder

We also recommend visiting:

Source: https://regionvtormet.ru/okrashivanie/kak-pravilno-payat-payalnikom-chto-trebuetsya-dlya-pajki-s-ispolzovaniem-kanifoli.html

Types and features of using flux for soldering

Situations often occur when something electronic breaks down at home and the only way to fix the situation, other than buying a new household appliance, is to solder the broken contacts. This procedure is also in demand in production, in car services and in their own workshops. However, it is impossible to solder the contacts without additional substances. One of them is soldering flux.

What is flux and its key features

Not many beginners know what flux is and how it is used in the soldering process. This is a connecting mixture. It contains materials that melt easily. Before purchasing flux, you need to pay attention to several factors:

operating temperature of additional composition;
the type of metal to be worked with;
temperature at which the soldering process begins;
the presence of additional surfaces that surround the adhesion site;
the presence of an anti-corrosion film on the metal surface.

There are two types of additional compounds used for soldering. Some are hard and melt at high temperatures. Others are soft and you can start working with them at low temperatures.

Purpose

To work with additional substances, you need to know what flux is used for when soldering. To connect the contacts on the board, it is necessary to heat them to a temperature of over 500 degrees. This can damage important components of the board. To prevent permanent breakdown of electronics, low-melting compounds are used, in which lead and tin predominate. They melt at temperatures up to 500 degrees and help connect broken contacts.

To connect light parts, it is enough to use light alloy solder, which can be worked with at minimum temperatures. To connect large parts, it is necessary to use hard types of solder.

Application of flux

Before using solder and flux for soldering, you need to pay attention to certain characteristics:

resistance of the composition to corrosion processes;
working size of the connecting seam;
connection strength;
melting temperature.

Very often, a tin rod is used as solder.
How flux works - using flux to solder SMDs under a microscope.

Storage

For simple repair work at home, it is enough to purchase a tube of flux. It must be stored in a tightly closed container. The liquid composition must not be allowed to come into contact with moisture.

Also, do not store fusible compounds near heating devices and open flames. The temperature in the room where the flux is stored should not be allowed to rise above 25 degrees.

It is advisable to dispose of compositions that were stored in packages that were not sealed properly and purchase a new one.

Types of fluxes for soldering

Soldering fluxes come in several varieties, depending on the effect of these compounds on the contacts being connected during heating. Before purchasing a fusible substance, you need to familiarize yourself with its main types.

Active fluxes

These are fluxes containing predominantly hydrochloric acid. They are used to work with iron parts. During the soldering process, these compounds exhibit a powerful chemical reaction. They are not used when working with radio equipment, as they quickly corrode the board.

Acid-free fluxes

These are liquid fluxes that are made on the basis of turpentine, glycerin and ethyl alcohol. Such compositions melt up to 150 degrees. Acid-free fluxes are used for soldering small parts.

Activated fluxes

Compositions made on the basis of salicylic acid. Used when connecting elements that do not require initial stripping.

Anti-corrosion fluxes

These are special substances that clean parts from deposits that appear during the corrosion process. They protect the connection point from destruction during operation. Manufactured on the basis of orthophosphoric acid.

Protective fluxes

The peculiarity of such compositions is the absence of a chemical reaction. Protects parts from corrosive processes. They are made from wax, olive oil or petroleum jelly. Such compositions begin to melt at 70 degrees. During heat treatment they do not emit harmful substances. Also, when working with protective fluxes, there is no need to pre-clean the parts.

How to choose the right flux

Even with knowledge of the varieties and technical characteristics, not every person knows how to choose a flux. It is important to understand which composition is better. For safe soldering, neutral fluxes should be chosen. They are suitable for working with various parts. However, when soldering large components, the work will be slow.

To speed up the process, you can use medium-active fluxes.
Such compositions are suitable for working with various metals. For working with large parts, silver solders are ideal. Which flux should I choose for soldering? Review of fluxes from my workshop.

The best substitutes

It is not always possible to find solder at home to solder broken contacts or wires. In such situations, repairs can be carried out without purchased compounds. You can replace flux with several substances:

amber;
fat;
"Aspirin";
resin.

Before starting work, Aspirin must be dissolved in a small amount of liquid.

Application procedure

Before you start soldering with flux, you need to understand how to use it. The application process will depend on what type of low-melting composition is used:

When using hard solders (tin rod), you need to dip the soldering iron into the reagent body and hook a small amount of solder.
If a liquid ready-mix is used, it can be applied with a brush.
When working with paste, you need to apply it to the joint with a stick or toothpick.

Also, we must not forget about cleaning the surface from oxidation.

The entire process of using a low-melting substance can be divided into several stages:

Initially, the surfaces are cleaned.
After cleaning, a layer of flux is applied.
Using a soldering station, the joining compound and parts are heated.

Next, you need to wait for the seam to harden and further process it.

Without a special composition it will not be possible to connect the contacts.
Experienced craftsmen suggest that beginners do the work without flux and see the result - the work will take much longer, the shock will quickly fall off. Pure tin is considered the best additional material for soldering. However, this is not a cheap metal and is used in combination with lead. Soldering technique with soldering flux

How to prepare flux for soldering yourself

To connect radio electronics elements, you can make your own soldering flux. Fat or resin can be used as improvised means to replace rosin. In order not to buy a composition for work, you need to know how to make flux for soldering:

You need to prepare equal amounts of lead and tin in advance.
Melt two metals in a crucible.
Remove the film of side deposits that forms on the top of the cooled metal mixture.
Pour the mixture of tin and lead into prepared molds.

It must be remembered that after soldering any contacts or parts, it is necessary to process the finished shock. For this, acetone or alcohol is used. However, solders have appeared in stores that do not require additional processing after completion of the work. They have some advantages:

are dielectrics;
not susceptible to corrosive processes;
no additional cleaning required.

Due to the fact that such solders do not conduct current, they are not used to connect contacts and wires.
How to make a soldering flux with your own hands / Liquid rosin / SKF You can also make your own solder paste. To do this, grind the solid flux using a coarse file.

The powder obtained after grinding must be mixed with alcohol and rosin. Next, you need to pour the resulting paste into an airtight container and close tightly. It deteriorates when exposed to moisture and requires compliance with storage rules. Experienced professionals recommend applying the paste using a syringe.

How to easily and quickly make flux gel. Soldering flux is a must-have substance when repairing electronics and radio equipment. It is important to know what types of these compositions there are and how to work with them correctly so as not to damage the boards and contacts. Do-it-yourself liquid FLUX (FIM) from citric acid!!!

Source: https://metalloy.ru/obrabotka/pajka/flyus

Do-it-yourself flux for soldering from rosin

Do-it-yourself alcohol-rosin flux SKF

Hi all! I am glad to see you all on my amateur radio blog dedicated to electronics and other technical creativity. Today it’s Saturday and it’s November outside the window, so we’re getting ready for the cold - winter is just around the corner.

And I have an article for you, which may not be very long, but it will definitely bring you a bit of useful information. Today I will talk about SKF alcohol-rosin flux, how you can prepare it with your own hands, and also where you can buy SKF flux. Read the article further and find out everything, don’t forget to subscribe to updates!

We have a small table of contents here, this is for convenience.

Flux SKF

Fluxes for soldering are used mainly for two purposes:

In order to improve the wettability of soldered parts with solder

The surfaces of the parts being soldered may have poor wettability. In this case, the solder will roll into balls like droplets of water on a greasy pan. Flux promotes better distribution of solder over the surface of the parts being soldered; the solder spreads and evenly covers the surface to be soldered.

To protect against oxide film (this film interferes with the normal soldering process)

Thanks to the oxygen in our air, the surface of the metal can oxidize, and a certain oxide film appears. This oxide film prevents solder from penetrating into the pores of the metal and attempts to solder anything become simply useless. The flux forms a protective film, which in turn protects the metal from exposure to oxygen.

Different fluxes are used for different metals, since each metal achieves these goals differently. So, for soldering aluminum parts, you need to use some fluxes, and for soldering copper parts, others.

SKF flux or simply alcohol-rosin flux is one of the best fluxes used for soldering copper parts. The best temperature range for use is 250-280°C. Due to its liquid form, alcohol rosin easily penetrates into hard-to-reach areas of soldered surfaces.

In addition, SKF flux is made on the basis of rosin, so it does not require rinsing after soldering; rosin itself does not contribute to the formation of corrosion on the metal. In short, after soldering you don’t have to worry - it won’t rust

Source: http://popayaem.ru/spirto-kanifolnyj-flyus-skf-svoimi-rukami.html