Flux – Types and Role of Flux in Soldering
Flux plays a vital role in any soldering process and electronics PCB manufacturing and assembly. Flux removes any oxide and prevents oxidation of metals and hence helps in better soldering quality. In Electronics PCB Assembly process, flux removes any oxide from the copper tracks on the PCB and oxides from the leads of the electronic components. These oxides are biggest resistance in good soldering and by removing these oxides, fluxes play a very vital role here.
There are basically three types of Flux used in Electronics:
R Type flux – These flux are Non-Activated and are used where there is least oxidation.
RMA Type Flux – These are Rosin Mildly Activated Flux. These fluxes are more active than R-Type fluxes and are used at places where there is more oxidation.
RA Type Flux – These are Rosin Activated Flux. These are very active flux and are used at places that have too much oxidation.
Some of the fluxes available are water-soluble. They get dissolved in water with no pollution. Also there are No-Clean Flux which require no cleaning after the soldering process.
The type of flux to be used in soldering depends on various factors such as type of PCB to be assembled, type of electronic components used, type of soldering machine and equipments used and the working environment.