Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

you could desolve rosin with some ipa or just heat it in a spoon, then mix it into some grease or fat.
be interesting to see how well it works.
specially if you can make the work area smell like bacon - to hell with fume extractors!

[Agent24]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

Yeah, it'll smell alright... when the fat starts rotting
Beeswax might be better, actually!

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

but how would you clean it off??

that's important to keep in mind.
there is some relativly good flux from poland (thermopasty), but it ignores IPA!!
luckily i discovered it disolves in white spirit - which is handy ecause that stuff is cheaper than beer - about €2 for 3Liters

[megaraider]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

And yes, isopropil alcohol is used in liquid fluxes. You can pound those rosin chunks into tiny granules and mix them with isopropyl alcohol (i forget the ratio now, the video below says between 20% and 80% something of weight is rosin, rest is alcohol) and leave the bottle closed for a day or so to have the contents mix well.Optionally shake from time to time.
Also optionally you can add a tiny amount of glycerin, less than 1% by weight, basically a drop or so in a 100ml bottle.
See https://youtu.be/iv_2ULCmA28

I've used this since i can remember, way before flux birth (or globalization anyway).
[rosin + isopropyl alcohol, aka isopropanol + glycerine]
Usually around 60% in concentration but it depends on rosin pureness.

For very high temperatures long exposures, e.g.: hot air soldering, adding glycerine is a must.

Also it's easily cleaned with white spirit, which is also cheap.

[Agent24]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

but how would you clean it off??

that's important to keep in mind.
there is some relativly good flux from poland (thermopasty), but it ignores IPA!!
luckily i discovered it disolves in white spirit - which is handy ecause that stuff is cheaper than beer - about €2 for 3Liters

I think a detergent is used as part of the flux-cleaning process, in industry, too.
The hobbyist can just leave the board outside an ant's nest for a week.

But yeah, some flux is a bit of a swine to clean off.

[eccerr0r]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

I think the translucent (and yellowish/orange) ones should be mostly rosin, the opaque ones have at least some triglycerides in it. If it's both, maybe it's both...

[Retro-Hipster]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

"diode gone wild" uses the solid rosin by dipping the iron in it and splashing it onto the joint!!!!

Ahaha! Him doing surface mount stuff with the rusty nail and the rosin was so entertaining. :'D

"And Rosiiin.. there is never enough of rosiiiin..."

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

go watch his video with the electric water heater and pack of salt!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB62AfXLEHY

youtube is fucking with this video!

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

Which one do you find better?

the clear one that looks like beer is the best.

[eccerr0r]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

go watch his video with the electric water heater and pack of salt!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB62AfXLEHY

youtube is fucking with this video!

OMG it's age restricted now ... BS.

[megaraider]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

go watch his video with the electric water heater and pack of salt!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB62AfXLEHY
youtube is fucking with this video!

Hilarious... if it was just on youtube...

The very same principle is applied (without salt) on these electric hot water bags and sold in every chinese local shop!!!!
The only difference (???) being it's water tight in a rubber enclosure.
They even stick the "CE" approval label

[Retro-Hipster]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

go watch his video with the electric water heater and pack of salt!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB62AfXLEHY

youtube is fucking with this video!

Oh yes, i have watched that one more time than I can say. Lol I wish more people knew of the video because "I can't believe I do this!" desparately needs to be a meme. Haha

[Agent24]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

OMG it's age restricted now ... BS.

I kinda think it should be though. We might think it's hilarious, and understand the risks, but some 10 year old could blow themselves up trying it. Not that a dumb adult couldn't either, I suppose, but still. Kids are more likely to do dangerous things without thinking enough about it.

[eccerr0r]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

What would you guys think of the best "test case" for fluxes. A freshly cleaned copper surface will easily take on solder, but what would be a "stress test" hard to wet surface for flux?

[Dannyx]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

Me again THIS is what I have at work on my desk - still unopened, so I have no idea how well it works. I almost thought it had no label....that was until I flipped the tin over and found it on the bloody bottom !

[eccerr0r]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

At least it has rosin in it, but no idea until you open it to tell how much fat is in it.

[Dannyx]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

I DID pop the lid off once just to see what it looks like: looks exactly like honey ! It was actually pretty tempting to take a lick at it That should be a different topic entirely: what does flux TASTE like ?

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

i have that one too,
it works and is sticky, but as i said - clean it with white spirit.

[Dannyx]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

So Iso alcohol we all know and love doesn't cut it ?

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

What would you guys think of the best "test case" for fluxes. A freshly cleaned copper surface will easily take on solder, but what would be a "stress test" hard to wet surface for flux?

you dont need flux for clean copper.
i compare them by trying to solder to tin/steel tuner cans.
the better the flux, the better it will flow from the iron with clean edges to the puddle.
also a good test to see how much the flux spreads or spits/burns etc.