Where do u find sponges?

Habitats. Sponges are worldwide in their distribution, living in a wide range of ocean habitats, from the polar regions to the tropics. Most live in quiet, clear waters, because sediment stirred up by waves or currents would block their pores, making it difficult for them to feed and breathe.

What is a soldering sponge for?

The purpose of the sponge is as follows; the sponge is porous, so it holds water. Rubbing a hot soldering iron tip on a wet sponge causes the solder to contract at a different rate than the soldering iron, helping to knock off any globs of solder that may be clinging to the tip.

How do you use a brass sponge?

When soldering periodically wipe your soldering tip on the damp sponge to clean it. Using a brass sponge requires no water. Just push your soldering tip up and down into the brass sponge. You may need to periodically remove the brass sponge from the bass and empty out the left over solder bits.

What happens when the soldering iron contacts the cleaning sponge for too long?

Bringing the hot tip into contact with a cleaning sponge that is too wet can result in an extreme temperature shock which may produce micro cracks in the iron plating layer.

What is the most common soldering mistake?

One of the most common mistakes by beginners and novices is the lack of wetting of the solder joints. A badly wetted joint has less solder than necessary to make a proper connection between the PCB soldering pads and the electronic components attached to the PCB by solder.

Why is too much solder bad?

Cold Joint Cold joints are unreliable. The solder bond will be poor and the cracks may develop in the joint over time. Many cold joints (such as the one pictured) also suffer from too much solder. The excess solder can usually be drawn-off with the tip of the iron.

Does solder get old?

Solder does not expire, Flux oxidizes and reduces the fluxes ability to keep oxides\oxygen away from the metal. If you doing production runs you need to watch the shelf life of the solder\flux.

Does copper flux go bad?

Flux is one of the three things you need to make a solder joint. You need heat, metal and flux. Don’t take any chances. If it is expired, don’t use it.

How do I dispose of old solder?

Properly manage discarded solder and dross by placing the material in a container with a lid. Label the container as “Lead Solder Waste for Recycling.” Keep the lid on and closed unless adding material. Manage rags that have been used to wipe solder spills as hazardous waste.

Why does solder paste expire?

EPTAC Corporation Good question. When solder paste ages beyond its useful life it it usually due to a viscosity increase that makes it unprintable .

Can I use old solder paste?

For the most part, solder paste manufacturers are conservative in assigning shelf life. It is highly unlikely that a properly stored solder paste’s performance is going to collapse 1 day after the expiration date. In fact, depending on the paste, it may still be good for months beyond the expiration date.

How do you know if solder paste is bad?

Typically when the syringe goes bad, you can see a change in the color uniformity of the solder paste, you might see some discoloration near the open end. If you fail to cap the syringe, the solder paste will start to dry out as the solvents are wicked out thru the needle.

Does solder paste need to be refrigerated?

Solder paste should be transferred immediately to controlled storage on receipt. Refrigeration is recommended but may not be required. AIM solder pastes typically have a shelf life of three to six months when stored at room temperature (22°C/72°F).

Can I solder without flux?

Yes, you can solder without flux. While it is helpful in the process of soldering as the flux helps break down the oxides on the metal, it is not needed. Also, most solder nowadays come with a rosin core which does the job of flux helping breaking down oxides.

What is the difference between solder flux and solder paste?

While the main use of solder paste flux is in the creation of solder paste, it is also sold directly as a gel or tacky flux. Solder paste flux can also act as a temporary adhesive. Its tacky nature holds components together until the heat of the soldering process melts the solder and the parts are fused together.

Which solder paste is best?

10 Best Solder Pastes

247 Solder. T4 new industry standard.
Chip Quik Electronic. Leaded.
CHIP QUIK SMD291AX. Alloy: Sn63/Pb37.
Soldering Flux Paste. Clean.
Grade Solder Paste. Contains a No Clean Flux.
Silver Easy Solder Paste. Lead Free. Cadmium Free.
Kester EP256. 35 grams of solder paste. 5 19-gauge dispensing tips.
ChipQuik Solder Paste. No clean. T5.