How to solder aluminum at home with a soldering iron
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Aluminum is highly durable and a good conductor of heat and electricity. It has a low specific gravity, is easy to process, and is environmentally friendly. However, all these positive qualities create almost insurmountable obstacles when solving the problem of how to solder aluminum at home with a soldering iron. This cannot be done using traditional methods, so you have to use special welding methods and optimally selected materials.
Technical difficulties in soldering aluminum products and parts
Soldering aluminum structures and other elements is always quite difficult, especially if it is done at home by novice craftsmen who have not fully studied the process. Basically, such soldering is performed industrially using special equipment. However, it is quite possible to create the most suitable conditions for welding parts made of aluminum.
To achieve this goal, it is necessary to resolve several technical problems:
- The biggest problem when soldering is caused by oxidation in the form of a film that appears on the surface as a result of contact between aluminum and air. Even if the metal is prepared, a coating forms on it almost immediately afterward. Such a film coating interferes with the joining process and adds many problems during the tinning and soldering process. In this situation, conventional types of solders and fluxes are completely unsuitable, since they do not guarantee a high-quality connection. The film is removed either by physical-mechanical means or with the help of strong chemicals.
- One should also take into account the high temperatures at which aluminum begins to melt. It reaches a maximum of 6000C. A temperature difference arises between the metal being soldered and its film, causing difficulties in the soldering process.
- Due to the temperature regime, aluminum begins to noticeably lose its strength during the heating process. This moment occurs when the material being welded is heated to 250-300 degrees. Some aluminum alloys contain components whose melting point differs from the base metal.
- Weak interaction of aluminum with traditional types of solders, consisting mainly of tin, cadmium and other elements. This leads to insufficient strength characteristics and reliability of the created seams. The problem of how to solder is solved using special solders containing zinc, which, in turn, has excellent contact with aluminum and penetrates into it. Adhesion occurs at the molecular level, providing the necessary strength of the connection.
Preparation for soldering aluminum parts
Great importance is attached to preparing aluminum for upcoming soldering.
There are several ways to do this to ensure connection reliability:
- The connection area is pre-degreased and treated with rosin. After the substance is applied to the surface, sandpaper is placed here. Next, you need to turn on a powerful soldering iron and press the sandpaper firmly against the surface.
- After this, the surface is rubbed and polished, and the joint itself is simultaneously tinning. An aluminum part is installed on the prepared surface, which can be soldered according to the usual scheme. If necessary, rosin can be replaced with oil used in sewing machines.
- In the second option, metal shavings are added to the rosin, after which the resulting mixture is applied to the surface of the future joint. The soldering iron tip needs to be well heated and tinned, and then rub it over the entire working surface of the parts to be soldered until the chips melt. At the same time, solder is added here. In this case, the oxide is removed mechanically, and the solder immediately falls on the surface and protects it from the reappearance of the oxide film.
- The third method is to pre-clean the surface. For this purpose, copper is used, through which the oxide film is removed. This method is one of the most difficult, since copper plating of the surface must be carried out in a special bath.
Selection of solder and flux for aluminum
Tin- and lead-based solders can be used to weld wires, elements and parts made of aluminum, provided they are thoroughly cleaned. Such soldering must be carried out using special flux solutions consisting of highly active substances.
However, such connections have insufficient strength due to the weak interaction of aluminum products with tin and lead, and the tendency to form corrosion. Therefore, special compounds are used in the form of anti-corrosion coating for surfaces made of this metal.
These compounds include solders containing copper, zinc, aluminum and silicon. They are produced both in our country and abroad. Among domestic brands, the most widely used is TsOP-40, which contains 40% zinc and 60% tin, as well as compound 34A with aluminum (66%), copper (28%) and silicon (6%). zinc affects not only the strength of aluminum contacts, but also their resistance to corrosion.
Of all the known solders, the minimum temperature at which they begin to melt is those based on tin and lead. The highest melting point belongs to compounds with an aluminum-silicon structure, as well as with aluminum, copper and silicon.
In the first case, similar types of solders melt when the temperature reaches 590-600 degrees, and in the second - at 530-550 degrees.
They are selected for each specific case, when parts with large dimensions, with good heat dissipation or refractory aluminum connections are connected.
Technological processes are inextricably linked with special types of fluxes used for better interaction of all welding components.
Selecting the most suitable material is considered a rather difficult undertaking. This is especially important when the process uses tin-lead solder. The structure of such fluxes includes elements that form its increased activity when interacting with aluminum. Among them are triethanolamine, ammonium fluoroborate, zinc fluoroborate and other similar components.
One of the most popular flux substances produced in Russia is the F64 substance, which is characterized by high activity. The quality of this connection allows you to solder metal parts made of aluminum without removing the refractory oxide coating located on the surface.
Soldering aluminum components
The procedure and technical process for welding aluminum are exactly the same as for other types of non-ferrous metals.
Among home craftsmen, the following two options are most often used:
- High-temperature soldering used for welding large-sized elements. This category includes aluminum structures with thick walls and increased mass, which require a temperature of 550-6500C to heat up.
- Soldering at low temperatures of 250-3000C, which is quite enough for installing wires of electronic equipment and welding small items used in everyday life. Aluminum wires are connected in the same mode in any electrical network.
Connections at high temperatures occur using special heating elements. One of them is a burner, which requires gas in the form of propane or butane to operate. If such a burner is not available, home craftsmen use various types of blowtorches.
Welding at high temperatures requires constant control over the degree of heating of the surfaces of the parts being joined. To do this, take one of the refractory solders in a small amount, and after it begins to melt, we can talk about reaching the desired temperature.
In this case, the heating of the part stops, otherwise it will simply melt and collapse.
Soldering at low temperatures is carried out with a 100-200 W electric soldering iron. The power of a soldering iron depends on the size of the components being connected: the larger the part, the more powerful a soldering iron will be required to heat it up. The conductors are easily connected with a 50 W soldering iron.
Regardless of the temperature conditions, connections are made in the same way, and all actions are performed in the following order:
- The place of future connection of parts or cables is processed mechanically. For this purpose, any cleaning agents are used that weaken oxidative deposits, providing more complete interaction with the flux substance.
- The joint must be degreased with acetone, gasoline, alcohol and other organic solvents.
- Before soldering aluminum with a soldering iron or torch at home, the parts are firmly fixed in the most convenient position.
- Flux is applied to the prepared surface. If the substance is used in liquid form, it is applied with a brush.
- The connection point is heated using an electric soldering iron of sufficient power or a gas burner. Next, molten solder is applied here and distributed in an even layer.
- Metal surfaces are connected and fixed in the desired position.
- After the solder has cooled and the parts have set, the joint is washed with running water. Flux residues are washed away and do not cause corrosion in the future.
Source: https://electric-220.ru/news/kak_pajat_aljuminij_v_domashnikh_uslovijakh_pajalnikom/2018-11-20-1605
How to remove flux using folk remedies
First of all, we should talk about folk recipes. The beneficial properties of many medicinal plants are used here, as well as their combinations in various proportions. They quite successfully help fight this disease in both adults and children.
Some of these methods are recommended by doctors themselves, especially by prescribing a list of therapeutic and restorative procedures simultaneously with the use of professional techniques.
It is these methods of combating flux at home that are given more attention here, since they are the simplest of all available.
It should also be noted that the vast majority of these tools and methods are safe to use. If you follow the simplest recommendations correctly, then such treatment will definitely not cause harm.
The only thing worth noting when talking about precautions is to check for an allergic reaction to one of the components.
Rinse
One of the indispensable components of traditional methods of treatment is frequent rinsing of the mouth using a variety of tinctures and decoctions of medicinal plants, as well as some solutions.
Most of these products have an antibacterial effect. They also help relieve general inflammation, thereby reducing the intensity of pain.
The tumor affects not only the gums, but also the nose, lips, and cheeks. Flux treatment at home is carried out with antibiotics, gels, rinsing solutions, etc. Traditional healing is also used, recipes for which are used in addition to the main course.
When gumboil has formed on the cheek, immediate treatment is required. Traditional methods will help you cope with the problem at home.
Salt solution
Dilute 0.25 l. warmed water 2 tsp. table salt. For better effects, add 3 drops of iodine. Rinse thoroughly several times a day.
Propolis tincture
For a one-time rinse, dilute in 120 ml. water 20 ml. tinctures. Carry out the procedure several times throughout the day.
Add to 0.2 l. water, 20 drops of tinctures. Rinse your mouth according to the standard regimen several times a day.
Aloe juice
Pass the mature aloe stem through a meat grinder. Wrap the pulp in a clean gauze cloth. Apply to the inflamed area. Carry out therapy up to 4 times a day.
Important!
If you're worried about gumboil, don't try to think about how to remove the swelling. Consult your doctor as soon as possible. Self-treatment at home can quickly worsen the situation.
To remove or reduce gumboil on the cheek at home, folk remedies are used. But it should be remembered that none of these remedies can replace full treatment. Therefore, as soon as the opportunity arises, it is necessary to visit the dentist and remove all accumulated pus. Most often, rinsing the mouth with various decoctions and infusions helps with gumboil.
- Dissolve a teaspoon of salt and soda in a glass of water, and rinse your mouth with the resulting mixture. This method of treatment can cause the flux to mature faster and break through on its own. However, the risk of not removing all the pus or causing infection through the wound is quite high.
- An herbal rinse can be used to treat flux at home. Green tea and sage are taken one teaspoon at a time and brewed with boiling water. After cooling, the solution is filtered and 20 grams of salt are added to it. The resulting product is used as a mouth rinse. It is important to remember that in order to remove gumboil on the cheek, you should take green tea without additional additives.
- Common mouthwashes - oak bark, mint, lemon balm, chamomile, sage - are good for treating gumboil. They can be used individually or in combination with each other. The method of preparing a rinse for flux is standard - a teaspoon of dry herb is poured with a glass of boiling water, infused, filtered and ready for use.
- Alcohol tincture of calendula, diluted in water, can be used both for rinsing during flux, and held on the cheek in the area of the sore spot.
When dealing with flux, it is necessary to rinse your mouth approximately 5–6 times a day. The recipes listed above can also be used after opening the flux by a doctor to sanitize the oral cavity and accelerate tissue healing.
Source: https://denta-da.ru/ubrat-flyus-narodnymi-sredstvami/
