How does the flux (fluxing agents) perform this miracle? Actually, it does three things when we apply fluxing agents to a wire or a metal surface. But once treated with fluxing agents, solder flows on these surfaces and attaches to them readily. Persons experienced in electric circuit soldering must have noted that the common solder ( tin-lead) does not attach well (rather it tends to from beads) on copper surfaces that have remained exposed to the atmosphere for some time. The function of the fluxing agents (or flux) is somewhat like that of the primer in a painting job. In soldering, fluxing agents, or more popularly, a flux is a chemical that helps us make good solder contacts. Soldering and brazing are used for joining metals. Fluxing agents, or fluxes are also used in joining metals, and that is how we know it in the photovoltaic domain. However, it is common practice to call them simply as fluxes. Because of this, these materials are fluxing agents. Limestone and other materials when added to the contents of a smelting furnace help the slag (A thick pasty composite containing the impurities and the fluxes themselves) become more fluid. Smelting is a process used for the extraction of some metals eg, iron from their ores. Many mineral ores are mixtures of many compounds. We also use the term “influx” quite commonly, as in “a sudden influx of immigrants….” So, why is the soldering flux called so? The reason lies in history and metallurgy. Specifically, the reader who is in the field of solar energy is familiar with the word solar flux. So, what has our soldering flux got to do with flow? Electrical engineers know flux in reference to electric and magnetic flux lines and microwave engineers know there is something called power flux. Where reasonably practicable, exposure should be prevented or, failing that, adequately controlled.Fluxing agents - The word flux derives from the Latin word “ fluxus” which is equivalent to flow. A suitable assessment of the risks to health must be carried out. How to controlĪs exposure to rosin-based solder flux fumes may be hazardous to health, their use is subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 (as amended). Continued exposure, even to very small amounts of fume, may cause asthma attacks and the person affected may be unable to do any soldering with rosin-based fluxes again. When the asthmatic effects are fully developed they are permanent and irreversible. Rosin-based solder flux fume is now regarded as one of the most significant causes of occupational asthma in Britain. People maintaining and cleaning soldering plant, equipment and control systems may also be at risk. Intermittent soldering work may lead to high, short-term exposures, particularly if carried out in an enclosed space or at an awkward angle. On automated lines, the flux may be sprayed as a liquid or foam before wave soldering.Ī large number of people, including telecommunications engineers, ventilation and heating specialists, plumbers and those in technical research and further education do some soldering. Liquid fluxes may be applied from a bottle or by dipping into small jars or pots. In other cases, the flux may be within a solder paste applied by syringe, or by stencil and screen printing. For solder wire, commonly used in hand soldering, the flux is often contained in a central core and is released on heating. Rosin-based fluxes may be integral with the solder or applied separately, as in liquid fluxes. Without effective control, solder fume rises vertically and, for manual operations, is likely to enter the breathing zone of the solderer. Serious health problems may arise from inhalation of fume from rosin (sometimes called 'colophony') or its derivatives contained in solder fluxes. Industry respiratory health links: Alpha A-ZĮlectronics (Soldering) Where are the hazards?.
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