How to maintain the soldering iron? Soldering iron head maintenance method
Before performing welding work
It is important to wet the cleaning sponge and squeeze out the excess water. This is the best way to clean the soldering iron tip. If a non-wetted cleaning sponge is used, the soldering iron tip will be damaged and will not be soldered.
The following soldering sequence will protect the soldering iron tip and reduce the oxidation rate when soldering.
After soldering
After soldering, set the temperature to about 250°C, clean the iron tip, and add a fresh layer of solder to protect it. (If you are using a non-temperature controlled soldering iron, switch off the power supply and allow the temperature of the iron tip to drop a little before applying the solder.)
Try to use low temperature soldering
High temperatures will accelerate the oxidation of the soldering iron tip and reduce the life of the tip. If the temperature of the soldering iron tip exceeds 470°C, it oxidises twice as fast as at 380°C.
Do not apply too much pressure
When soldering, do not apply too much pressure, otherwise the iron tip will be damaged and deformed. As long as the iron tip is in full contact with the soldering joint, heat can be transferred. In addition, choosing the right soldering iron tip can also help to transfer heat.
Keep the tip of the soldering iron tinned frequently
This will reduce the chance of oxidisation and make the iron tip more durable. After use, wait until the temperature of the soldering iron tip is slightly lowered before adding new solder, so that the tinned layer will have a better anti-oxidation effect.
Keep the soldering iron tip clean and clean up the oxides instantly
If there is black oxide on the iron tip, the iron tip may not be tinned and must be cleaned immediately. When cleaning, first set the temperature of the soldering iron tip to about 250°C, then use a cleaning sponge to clean the tip, and then tin again. Repeat until the oxide is cleaned.
Choose a low activity flux
Highly active or corrosive flux will accelerate the corrosion of the soldering iron tip when it is heated, so use low-corrosive flux.
Putting the soldering iron on the iron stand
When you don't need to use the soldering iron, you should carefully place the soldering iron on a suitable iron stand to avoid damage to the iron head by collision.
Choosing the right soldering iron tip
It is very important to choose the right size and shape of the iron head to make the work more efficient and increase the durability of the iron head. Choosing the wrong iron tip will affect the soldering iron's ability to perform at its highest efficiency, and the quality of the soldering will be reduced as a result.
