Correct selection of soldering iron tip and how to maintain it effectively
(1) The structure of the soldering iron tip
The tip of the soldering iron is generally made of copper material. In order to protect it from being oxidized and rusted under the high temperature conditions of welding, the soldering iron tip is often electroplated, generally iron-nickel alloy, and the front end of the soldering iron tip is generally iron-plated. Some soldering iron tips are also made of alloy materials that are not easily oxidized.
(2) The shape and specification of the soldering iron tip
There are many shapes and specifications of soldering iron tips. The shapes of soldering iron tips mainly include conical, chisel-shaped (flat shovel-shaped), horseshoe-shaped, double-piece flat-shovel-shaped horseshoe-shaped, square, and hot chuck.
(3) Correct selection of soldering iron tip
Proper selection of soldering iron tips can achieve better soldering at the lowest temperature and maximize the service life of the soldering iron tip. The main basis for choosing a soldering iron tip is as follows.
●Choose the appropriate shape of the soldering iron tip according to the type of components to be soldered. For example: to disassemble SOIC, you should choose a double-piece flat spade horseshoe-shaped soldering iron tip, and to disassemble QFP/PLCC, you should choose a square soldering iron tip.
●Select a soldering iron tip of an appropriate size according to the size of the solder joint of the component to be welded. For example: small solder joints can use conical soldering iron tips, and larger solder joints can use chisel-shaped or cylindrical soldering iron tips, as shown in Figure 4-58.
(4) Correct use and maintenance of soldering iron tip
① When tinning for the first time, the tin wire should contact the tip of the soldering iron from a low temperature (about 183°C), and do not go beyond the tinning section of the soldering iron. Avoid using a soldering iron to push or rub the device pins to prevent damage to the plating and deformation of the soldering iron.
②The temperature-controlled soldering iron is best not to exceed 350°C. Excessively high setting temperatures will accelerate damage to the coating.
③Clean the tip of the soldering iron and add tin to the tip of the soldering iron to facilitate heat conduction. Keep the tin on the tip of the iron, and clean the tip at all times.
④ The acidity of the flux in the solder wire core is high, which will also affect the life of the soldering iron tip. Do not use flux to clean the soldering iron tip.
⑤ The foam plastic used for cleaning should have proper viscosity and humidity, and the tip of the soldering iron is easy to oxidize when exposed to water.
⑥For the iron-nickel alloy soldering iron tip, do not scrape the oxide layer with a knife or other things, and do not hit the tin slag of the soldering iron tip L with a hard object (except for the self-made copper soldering iron tip).
⑦When the electric soldering iron is not used for a long time, the power should be turned off in time to avoid accelerated oxidation of the soldering iron core and shorten the service life (some constant temperature soldering stations are currently designed with an automatic sleep function).
⑧Before turning off the soldering iron, tin the tip of the soldering iron to avoid accelerated oxidation.
