Beatrice Lang
There are several reasons why electrical solder may not stick. The solder may not be hot enough, the soldering iron may be defective, or the solder tip may have oxidized. Incompatible metals may be used, or the metal surface may be dirty. Lead-free solder may be used, which requires a higher temperature and cools more slowly. Flux may be required to prevent oxidation. Proper soldering techniques are important, such as not allowing solder to sit on the soldering iron before adhering it to the joint.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lack of heat | The solder may not be hot enough to melt or adhere to the metal |
| Defective soldering iron | The soldering iron may be defective or have a wattage that is too low |
| Oxidation | The soldering iron tip may be oxidised |
| Poor technique | Solder may be burnt through the solder mask, or the flux may have burned off |
| Incompatible metals | Some metals, like aluminium, cannot be soldered together |
| Dirt or corrosion | The metal surface may be dirty or corroded, preventing adhesion |
| Type of solder | Lead-free solder may be more difficult to work with and require higher temperatures |
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What You'll Learn
Solder and soldering iron should be applied simultaneously
When solder won't stick to a joint, it is usually because the joint is not hot enough. To avoid this, the solder and soldering iron should be applied to the joint simultaneously.
If the solder is applied to the soldering iron first and then carried over to the joint, the flux will burn off and the solder won't stick. The correct technique is to heat the joint and then apply the solder directly to the joint with the soldering iron.
It is important to ensure that the soldering iron is set to the correct temperature and wattage for the solder size being used. If the wattage is too low, the solder won't melt or adhere properly. The tip of the soldering iron should also be clean and shiny.
In some cases, the type of solder or the metal being soldered may be the issue. For example, lead-free solder has a higher melting point and can be more difficult to work with. Additionally, not all metals can be soldered together, and some metals, such as aluminium, require special techniques to prevent oxidation. Some metals may also require the use of flux to remove oxidation and prevent new oxidation from forming.
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Soldering iron wattage is too low
If your solder isn't sticking, it may be because your soldering iron wattage is too low. Soldering is a process that involves joining or fusing two metal objects through the use of heat, a hot iron, and a metal alloy filler called solder. The solder needs to be hot enough to melt and adhere to the desired metal. If the wattage of your soldering iron is too low for the solder size, it won't heat up enough to melt the solder, resulting in the solder not sticking to the metal surface.
To rectify this issue, it is recommended to check the solder material and compare it to the wattage of your soldering iron. If the wattage is insufficient for the solder size, you may need to switch to a soldering iron with a higher wattage. For example, if you are soldering a thick copper cable with a 0.2 mm tip, a soldering station with 20 watts should be sufficient to maintain the desired temperature. However, if you use a larger tip size, such as 5mm, a higher wattage, such as 60 watts, may be required to maintain the necessary temperature for soldering.
It is important to note that while higher wattage irons can heat up the soldering area faster, they can also pose challenges for beginners. If you are new to soldering and take too long to make the joint, a high-wattage iron can lift pads and ruin components more quickly. Therefore, it is crucial to consider your skill level and choose an appropriate wattage that allows you to work at a comfortable pace without damaging the materials.
Additionally, the technique you use while soldering also plays a significant role in ensuring the solder sticks properly. Avoid letting the solder sit on the soldering iron before carrying it over to the joint, as this will burn off the flux, affecting its ability to adhere to metals effectively. Instead, simultaneously apply the solder and the soldering iron to the joint. With practice and proper technique, you can improve your soldering results and minimize issues with the solder not sticking.
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Soldering iron tip has oxidised
If your soldering iron tip has oxidised, it will prevent anything from sticking. Oxidation occurs when the iron plating on the tip becomes iron oxide, a natural occurrence due to the metals used to make the tip. The heat from soldering accelerates this process.
There are several ways to address this issue. Firstly, you can clean the tip to restore proper operation. Adjust the temperature of the soldering iron to around 300°C, apply flux-cored solder to the oxidised tip, and use brass wool or a specially designed cleaner on the tip. Repeat these steps until the tip is clean and allows for smooth solder flow.
Another method is to tin the tip, creating a layer of solder that cannot be oxidised. You can tin the tip when it's new, as well as before and after each use. This will help prevent oxidation during storage and while soldering.
Additionally, some factors that can contribute to oxidation include the temperature of the iron and the type of solder used. If the iron is too hot, oxidation can occur more quickly. Lead-free solders also tend to oxidise faster than lead-based ones, so choosing the right type of solder for your project is important.
By following these steps and considering the factors that affect oxidation, you can effectively address the issue of a soldering iron tip that has oxidised and restore its functionality.
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Incompatible metals
Soldering is a process that allows you to join or fuse two metal objects by melting solder and placing a binder (solder or molten solder) into a joint. The binder has a lower melting point than the adjacent metal.
Solderability is a measure of the ease with which a soldered joint can be made to a particular material. Some metals are easier to solder than others. Copper, zinc, brass, silver, and gold are among the simpler ones. Iron, mild steel, and nickel are more difficult due to thin but strong oxide layers. Stainless steel and some aluminium alloys are even more difficult to solder.
Some metals are incompatible with soldering. For example, you will never get solder to stick to aluminium. In addition, stainless steel and high-alloy steel have low solderability because the chromium alloying element creates oxides that require aggressive fluxes. The only way to solder these metals is by pre-plating them with a metal that is solderable.
Gold is also incompatible with soldering. Gold is used in ENIG, or Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold, which consists of an underlying layer of nickel with a thin layer of gold on top. The gold acts as a protective coating for the nickel to prevent it from tarnishing before it is soldered. However, the gold layer is so thin that it dissolves in less than a second when solder is applied, and the thicker nickel plating below is what gets soldered.
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Flux has burnt off
Flux is a crucial component of the soldering process, facilitating the joining or fusing of two metal objects. It serves multiple purposes, including removing any oxidized metal from the surfaces to be soldered, preventing further oxidation by sealing out air, and enhancing the liquid solder's wetting characteristics.
However, one common issue encountered during soldering is the burning off of flux before the solder can adhere to the metal surface. This problem is typically caused by excessive heat, resulting in the flux burning and the solder refusing to flow. The burn point of water-soluble flux is very close to the melting point of solder, and a big torch generating heat above 3000°F will cause the flux to burn off without allowing the solder to melt.
To address this issue, it is recommended to use a smaller heat source, such as a small butane refillable torch, a jeweler's propane/oxygen torch, or a heat gun with a small nozzle. These tools provide sufficient heat for the solder to melt and adhere without burning off the flux. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the soldering iron is set to the proper temperature and has sufficient wattage for the solder size being used.
Practicing proper soldering techniques is essential to prevent burning off the flux. One technique is to simultaneously apply the solder and the soldering iron to the joint, avoiding the practice of carrying pre-melted solder on the iron to the joint. This ensures that the flux remains intact and functional during the soldering process.
By following these guidelines and choosing the appropriate tools and techniques, you can effectively prevent the issue of flux burning off and ensure successful soldering with strong adhesion.
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