Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

[eccerr0r]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

Yes supposedly rosin + isopropanol = usable as flux directly.
No local source, was thinking may have to try a music shop that sells violins to try, but chances are it's cheaper paying the tariff.

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

lol
i had one of those little boxes too - gave it to a friend.
it was a gift from an ali seller when i got some iron tips.

[Agent24]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

I have a little box of that, it was a free gift from UTSource. I heard you're supposed to dissolve it in alcohol and then you can use it. I haven't tried yet. Maybe once my pork lard runs out I'll give it a go.

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

you mean pure hard rosin?
china sells it very cheap - i think they are the only people who even use it.

[eccerr0r]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

True, could be the same label used for more than one container too...
I never measured how much rosin is in this tin. Doing a back of envelope calculation, this tin couldn't hold more than 50g actually...

Speaking of rosin, where's a good cheap place to buy it locally... seems like you're forced to buy online and pay tariffs nowadays...

[Agent24]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

also, your tin has 2 sizes printed on it????????

Maybe they use the same lid for a shallow and a deep tin?

[eccerr0r]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

I have some ~30-odd year old rosin flux and some recently "expired" acid flux (for pipes) that I need to try, to see what age did to them...

[Dannyx]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

Seems to me there's two routes one can choose: Amtech or the others The other knock-offs all seem to be the same, or at least at the luck of the draw

[eccerr0r]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

Yeah they painted the inside of the tin as well, an extra cost. And yes it's waxy and not translucent. It's very soft, softer than wax. And yes two sizes, I suspect that it depends on how much was put into the tin.

Very weird that they have the same typos, minus "made in china" and that one japanese character instead of the chinese character...

Sigh... more knock offs...

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

that's strange, not only is it not translucent from what i can see, the inside of the tin is painted too.
my original stuff the inside of the tin is not painted.

also, your tin has 2 sizes printed on it????????

[eccerr0r]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

flux absorbs moisture, so lifespan depends on how you store it.

btw, i like this - try it.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/UANM...864986454.html

I have this, and don't think it works that well. Comparing it to the flux that's inside Kester 44 solder, it doesn't help solders stick as well. I still use some anyway in hopes it helps a little, at the very least it does prevent additional oxidation as it coats the surface.

Is this fake cheap chinese clone flux?

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

keep in mind most fluxes are based on Rosin and a carrier - that could include petroleum jelly or animal fat!!

[llonen]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

Pork lard, lmfao you know I cant un-see that now. I might try the refined 559 pork lard lard but the regular 'animal fat' 223 works exceptionally well for me even if it is a knock off 'cow fat' which it probably is. By the way are there any vegetarian options, and please remember not to lick the fat off your pcbs even if it tastes nice. Oh I looked at the Fry's metals flux its an R8 flux the date code for which well most of the label has long disintegrated and that looks like what I imagine industrial vinegar might look like. It is no longer made, well in that formulation and has to be be in excess of 30 years old, I would not classify that as no clean it definitely needs cleaning.

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

yes, and mine is like beer jello

[Agent24]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

water-clear as opposed to being "foggy" like yours

Ah right. So mine's the pork lard then?

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

water-clear as opposed to being "foggy" like yours

[Agent24]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

yours may be different, i tried lots.
that one in the tin is water-clear and amber coloured.
the more common ones look like yellow tinted animal fat!!! (and probably are - or based on something similar)

Not sure what you mean by "water-clear and amber coloured"? It's either one or the other, surely?

Mine smells like flux and acts like it, and works pretty well.

[stj]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

he has sacks of it!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpPvy4qyHg4

[diif]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

Rossmann uses 599. It awesome stuff. Not the cheapest but then a 30cc tube will long time. Unless you're Rossmann that is. There's loads of fakes about. The genuine stuff smells sweet and nice not that it should be smelled.

[Dannyx]

Re: Does flux expire ?? Flux discussion.

I DID find it locally, or at least on a website which ships to our country at a decent price, but it's still too expensive to be worth buying only for occasional use. A repair center could definitely afford it though, so I'll try convincing my boss to get me a syringe of that stuff just to see how well it behaves, so fingers crossed