Soldering
History
Soldering is a process that joins two or more types of metals through melting solder. The first soldering
iron was developed in 1896 by Richard Schneider and August Tinnerhol and was called the “First Electric
Heating Apparatus”.
Soldering is commonly used in electronics, as it is simple and safe in joining sensitive materials. Likewise,
the process is also known for metalworking, plumbing, roofing and joining wires.
Meaning:
Soldering uses a filler metal with a low melting point, also known as solder, to join metal surfaces. The
solder is usually made up of an alloy consisting of tin and lead whose melting point is around 235°C and
350°C, respectively.
Soldering Process
The first step in soldering is to wear protective gear in a well-ventilated area. Next, the soldering iron
should be preheated. For cleaning the soldering tip, you can use a wet sponge. Likewise, any residue on
the workpiece surface should be wiped off.
After finishing the preparations, it’s time to heat the base metal to a working temperature using the hot
iron. Doing so will help prevent thermal shock, activate the solder, and overall improve the quality of the
joint. A good indicator that the metals are well-heated is when the molten solder freely flows into the
joint. The filler material solidifies as it cools down, making it the best time for inspection.
The key to successful soldering is ensuring that the metals being joined are clean and free of any oxides
or other contaminants.
Desoldering
From time to time, components fail and need replacement. When these components are mechanically
held in place with solder, a process called desoldering removes the material cleanly and safely.
Soldering Tools
Soldering irons are hand tools that heat the solder above its melting temperatures. They offer a wide
variety of sizes, which is great for different applications. The tip of the iron has different types and sizes
that suit a variety of projects.
Soldering guns are employed when higher temperatures require more power. A soldering gun heats
quicker and offers better flexibility as it can be operated in confined spaces, heavy electrical
connections, and metalworks.
Solders
Lead-based solder
Most soldering projects are typically performed using lead solder consisting of a 60-40 tin-to-lead ratio.
This solder melts in a range of 180 to 190°C and is usually the best choice for soldering electrical
connections.
Lead-free solder
As a way to mitigate the use of harmful elements, lead-free solders were developed. These usually come
as solder wire and are composed of metals with higher melting points: tin, copper, bismuth, silver, brass,
indium, and antimony.
Heating Methods
While the concept of soldering is fairly simple, there are different heating methods that depend on the
application or project. Primitive methods involve a fire heating element through butane, but this has
now evolved into more advanced techniques.
Laser
Commonly used in delicate electronics, lasers at 30-50 watts can accurately create a soldered joint while
preventing heat in the surrounding area. It is commonly used on circuit boards where the components
are compact.
Induction
Copper coils induce heat to the solder by using an oscillating high-frequency alternating current.
Induction allows for an even application of thermal energy to heat solder, being a great application to
cylinders and pipes, minimizing holes and maintaining uniformity.
Resistance
This soldering form generates heat by applying an electrical current to the solder and soldering iron.
Heat is generated in a small space and it dissipates quickly, reducing the risk of damaging components.
Infrared
This method uses infrared (IR) light as a mode of heat transfer to the targeted area. It only takes a few
seconds, reducing the heat exposure time of the surrounding area.
Types of Soldering
Soft soldering (90 °C – 450 °C)
The solder melts alloys containing lead that has a low melting point.
Hard soldering (above 450 °C)
Brass and silver are usually hard soldered, with the use of a flame via blowtorch to melt the filler metal.
Hard soldering has better mechanical strength than soft soldering.
Applications
Electronics Industry
The most popular application of this fusion process is electronics soldering, where wires are joined and
electronic components are fused to a circuit board. This technique allows soldering components
together with the luxury of desoldering when needed.
Sections
Soldering is applied in the piping and plumbing industry as a way to create joint sections. It is a
straightforward process and a reliable solution in sealing the connections in copper pipes, for example.
Automation
Technology allows us to automate the soldering process through the use of programmed robots. Not
only does it create precise joints but it is also fast in production speed.
