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Solder Paste — Parallax Forums

Solder Paste

Mike HuseltonMike Huselton Posts: 746
edited 2009-05-13 21:15 in Propeller 1
I need to get some experience using solder paste. Is it true that due to transport restrictions, refrigerated trucks must be used for shipment? I live in Austin.

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JMH

Comments

  • Brian CarpenterBrian Carpenter Posts: 728
    edited 2009-05-08 02:52
    most places that you buy your solder paste from will require that you pay for overnight shipping. They pack the box with cold packs to try and keep the paste cool.

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  • PhilldapillPhilldapill Posts: 1,283
    edited 2009-05-08 03:23
    I got mine from ebay(from china). It arrived in like 12 days, normal post. Seems fine to me.
  • Mike HuseltonMike Huselton Posts: 746
    edited 2009-05-08 03:32
    Philldapill,

    That seems like a low-cost and low-risk method to me. Can you remember the email of the vendor?

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    JMH
  • YodaYoda Posts: 132
    edited 2009-05-08 03:35
    I ordered a 5CC syringe full from Digikey - came in 2 days and I live in Austin as well

    Dave
  • Mike HuseltonMike Huselton Posts: 746
    edited 2009-05-08 03:48
    Yoda,

    Did you notice any refrigerated trucks roaming the neighborhood?

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    JMH
  • YodaYoda Posts: 132
    edited 2009-05-08 04:00
    No came via us mail - was in my mailbox when I got home - seems to work OK without refrigeration and doc with it said nothing about refrigeration.

    You can look at: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=SMD291SNL-ND

    You look at handling says to store at 42 - 47 but higher temps will shorten life. Guess 2 days doesn't hurt that much - would not order it this week with the temps in Austin wink.gif
  • Mike HuseltonMike Huselton Posts: 746
    edited 2009-05-08 04:04
    Good point, Yoda.

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    JMH
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-05-08 04:09
    i see a lot of refrigerated trucks lately. but i am doing renovations at a food storage where house [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-05-08 07:47
    You do need to keep it cool. Otherwise the solder will come out of suspension, separating from the flux, and you'll end up with an expensive syringe full of concrete.

    -Phil
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,827
    edited 2009-05-08 11:21
    I've just left the tube on my work desk (although I have a spare one in the fridge).· I think it's OK for a couple months and then it really gets too thick to squeeze out nicely.· I bet heating it up a bit would make it flow better though...

    I bet this thing about refrigeration is just for long term storage or for those with special equipment that require a certian viscosity.

    Digikey made me pay for overnight shipping, but I think it would only make a difference in the middle of summer...

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  • James LongJames Long Posts: 1,181
    edited 2009-05-09 07:01
    Rayman said...
    I've just left the tube on my work desk (although I have a spare one in the fridge). I think it's OK for a couple months and then it really gets too thick to squeeze out nicely. I bet heating it up a bit would make it flow better though...


    I bet this thing about refrigeration is just for long term storage or for those with special equipment that require a certian viscosity.



    Digikey made me pay for overnight shipping, but I think it would only make a difference in the middle of summer...

    My understanding of solder paste is from many solder paste manufacturers and distributors. The reason solder paste has an expiration date:

    Solder paste in a dry form only contains metal. The metals can be of different alloys, which make leaded and unleaded solder pastes.

    When the flux is added, there is a chemical reaction which is started, and will continue to happen. If the paste is cooled (refrigerated) the reaction slows significantly. If left at room temperature the reaction within the paste is always on going and will eventually cause the paste to not "flow/wet" properly. Some pastes will sometimes get thick because of this reaction, but some pastes do not.

    There are other things which happen to solder paste, like settling, and separating.

    I however do not make any of the above claims, they are from various solder paste reps.

    James L

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  • PhilldapillPhilldapill Posts: 1,283
    edited 2009-05-09 07:46
    I've had a small "tub" of solder paste for over 4 or 5 months now. I barely used it for testing purposes, put the cap back on, then forgot about it - no refridgeration. This thread got me thinking about it again, so I found the tub yesterday, opened it - and yuck. Some of the paste is crispy(hard), and other parts are almost all flux(gooey).

    I guess keeping it in the fridge IS needed afterall.
  • johnfl68johnfl68 Posts: 72
    edited 2009-05-09 12:39
    Here is a good page about solder paste handling from AMTECH:

    www.amtechsolder.com/pdf/Procedures-5Fsolder-5Fpaste.pdf

    "Refrigerated storage is not required but highly recommended (1°C to 10°C), as it prolongs the shelf life of the solder paste."

    John

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  • Mike HuseltonMike Huselton Posts: 746
    edited 2009-05-09 21:09
    Thanks for the link. This clarifies matters greatly.

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    JMH
  • Tracy AllenTracy Allen Posts: 6,664
    edited 2009-05-10 01:29
    I usually get paste from Zephyrtronics. They claim that it is optimized for bench use and has an extended shelf life at room temperature. It's best to store backup syringes on a rack tip down in a refrigerator.

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    www.emesystems.com
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-05-10 02:02
    Tracy,

    Well, I'm sold! I've got another half-full 35cc syringe of Kester solder from DigiKey that's gone bad. 10cc is much more reasonable, as are Zephyrtronics' prices. Thanks for the link!

    -Phil
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-05-10 02:13
    $17.98 not bad. wonder how long they last. will order one and find out.

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  • James LongJames Long Posts: 1,181
    edited 2009-05-10 07:56
    Ok, please note...... I'm not knocking Zephyrtronics!!!

    Their solder paste is very sensitive to humidity. If you are in a humid area, use the solder paste quickly after it is exposed to air.

    I had problems with their solder paste when I bought it, but to give them some slack, I was exposing it to the open air for a long period of time (about 3 hours). I'm in the deep south, so humidity is a major problem.

    If you are in a humid area, I suggest a no-clean solder from Amtech (Solder and More is a dealer). We only use their solder pastes. I do not recommend the 4300 (water soluble) variety for anyone in a humid area.

    Kester is also a good solder, but hard to find for a reasonable price in small quantities.

    James L

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    James L
    Partner/Designer

    Lil Brother SMT Assembly Services
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-05-10 16:45
    James,

    Were you using Zephyr's paste from a syringe or from an open can or jar? I live in a humid area, too (Pacific NW), and am now thinking that a syringe would protect the bulk of its contents against external influences.

    -Phil
  • Toby SeckshundToby Seckshund Posts: 2,027
    edited 2009-05-10 18:02
    There was a syringe of solder paste in the store cupboard at work when I joined 3 years ago. I have on a couple of times tried to practice with it an never got even a useable result. I assumed it was me useing it or the hot air wrong. It is one of the reasons I vere away from SM construction. Perhaps new experimentation should happen.
  • James LongJames Long Posts: 1,181
    edited 2009-05-10 18:45
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) said...
    James,

    Were you using Zephyr's paste from a syringe or from an open can or jar? I live in a humid area, too (Pacific NW), and am now thinking that a syringe would protect the bulk of its contents against external influences.

    -Phil

    Phil,

    I was using the paste in the syringe. I do not ever use any water soluble in a "jar". We do however use no-clean SAC305 in a "jar".

    Yes, the syringe will protect the solder paste in the tube itself. It is only after it is squeezed out of the tube, the clock starts.

    Also, make absolutely sure the solder paste is at room temp. If you squeeze it out cold, it will condense the humidity in the air.

    We do not use syringe solder paste much. The solids percentage is lower in a syringe, unless special ordered. Jars have 88% or higher, and syringes typically have 86-87% solids.

    When using a stencil, care must be taken with the syringe paste. It will tend to "run" under the stencil, and cause bridges.

    Probably more solder paste education than most need, but I had to learn all of it, I figured others may benefit from the knowledge.

    James L

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    James L
    Partner/Designer

    Lil Brother SMT Assembly Services
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2009-05-10 19:24
    Thanks, James. That's all very useful info!

    -Phil
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-05-10 19:30
    I definetly have no problems with humidity. Calgary, AB is as humid as the Sarah Desert.

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  • softexsoftex Posts: 27
    edited 2009-05-13 20:52
    Here's the new kid on the block - synthetic flux requiring no refrigeration, but refrig will prolong it:

    http://www.amtechsolder.com/syntechlf.html

    Ordered a 35g syringe from Celeritious, but won't be using it for a couple of weeks:

    http://www.celeritous.com/estore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=47

    Not real cheap @ $28 (plus $23 shipping to Calgary), but you get a kit with a plunger and 6 tips. Lead-free also available.

    -Dave
  • parts-man73parts-man73 Posts: 830
    edited 2009-05-13 21:01
    store.sra-solder.com/section.php?xSec=15&xPage=1&jssCart=b5ae3d00c7be3e59bbd20898e15af0fc is where I get my paste. They have no-clean or regular, and lead-free or leaded. $15 for 25 grams.

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    Brian

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  • James LongJames Long Posts: 1,181
    edited 2009-05-13 21:12
    parts-man73 said...
    store.sra-solder.com/section.php?xSec=15&xPage=1&jssCart=b5ae3d00c7be3e59bbd20898e15af0fc is where I get my paste. They have no-clean or regular, and lead-free or leaded. $15 for 25 grams.

    You should try:

    www.solderandmore.com/servlet/the-No-dsh-Clean-Solder-Paste/Categories

    Their prices are real good, and their service is outstanding. You get more paste for just a little more money.

    I haven't ever tried SRA solder.

    James L

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    Partner/Designer

    Lil Brother SMT Assembly Services
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-05-13 21:15
    Wish you had posted yesterday just bought some that was more then that.

    By the way I am in calgary also

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    My new unsecure propmod both 1x1 and full size arriving soon.
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