The question we get asked the most is “How do I extend the life of a solder tip”. The key to answering this is finding out what has caused the issue and putting good tip care into practice.
There are four common causes of tip failure; cracking, corrosion, oxidation and wear. It is important to know what causes the issue, and how to resolve it in order to get the best life out of your soldering iron tip.
Cracking
Cause: Excessive force applied to the tip
Result: The iron plating cracks and solder eats into the exposed copper core resulting in tip failure
Prevention: Select a more suitable tip for the soldering application, and do not apply excessive force to the tip
Corrosion
Cause: Chemical interaction between solder and flux
Result: Iron plating is eaten away exposing the copper core, therefore causing the tip to fail
Prevention: Use a less aggressive flux, as highly activated acid or rosin type fluxes reduce the tip life
Oxidation
Cause: Improper cleaning and tinning of the tip
Result: Solder does not adhere to the working area of the tip
Prevention: Keep the tip tinned with solder at all times, and clean the tip of oxidation using a sulphur free sponge and brass curls
Wear
Cause: Tip is worn out through normal usage
Result: The iron plating is breached, exposing the copper core
Prevention: Happens under normal usage
Tip selection
It is important to chose the correct tip for your soldering application, selecting a shorter tip length will ensure a better heat transfer to the solder joints.
Choosing flux
Lower activated fluxes should be selected, as acid or rosin type fluxes reduce the plating life. When using no clean solder wire, it is recommended that you select the largest core possible
While soldering
Use a good quality solder as impurities can affect heat transfer
Keep the tip clean by wiping off any oxidation using a sulphur free sponge, or for heavy oxidation clean the tip with brass curls
Always keep the tip tinned with solder. Wipe only before using, and re-tin the tip immediately after
To prevent cracking do not apply excessive force on the tip when soldering
Use distilled water for wetting the sponge
After soldering
Use a damp sponge or brass curl to clean the tip
Immediately tin the tip full of solder. This prevents oxidation from occurring
Put the hand piece back into the workstand, and turn the system off when not in use.
Proper tip care and maintenance is paramount to ensuring a long tip life.
For more information on our Thermaltronics range of soldering irons and accessories, please contact us.
