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What is a Solder Void?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 20, 2020

Applying appropriate amounts of solder paste to a pad is of paramount importance to ensure good quality solder joints. If this is not done, bad solder joints will be created - cold joints and brittle joints. When less than require solder is applied to a joint, it can result in empty spaces or holes inside the solder joint – these are known as Solder Voids.A Solder void is generated due to th...read more

What is Eutectic Solder?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 18, 2021

Eutectic solder is a type of solder that melts and solidifies at one single temperature. For example, Tin 63% / lead 37 % that melts and freezes at 183°C (see figure below). Most solder starts to soften at a certain temperature and only fully melts at a higher temperature. For instance, the Sn96.5Ag3Cu0.5 solder starts to melt at 219°C (426.2°F), but only reaches its full liquid state ...read more

Lead-free Solder Composition

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Sep 27, 2020

Lead-free solder materials as the name suggest do not have any lead in their composition. Originally when solder materials and solder paste were developed they almost always used lead. However, lead is a harmful/poisonous material and thus in 2006 the use of lead based soldering materials were prohibited by the RoHS directive (2002/95/EC).Lead-free solder materials usually comprise of lead-free so...read more

What is Wave Soldering?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Nov 13, 2021

Wave Soldering is the process of soldering through hole components onto a PCB by passing the exposed leads of the components placed on a board over a wave of molten solder. The solder wave flows under the PCB board and applies solder to the leads of components placed on the PCB board. It is primarily usedto solder thru hole components on printed circuit boards. It is not usually used to solder sur...read more

What is Solder Wicking?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jan 20, 2020

Solder Wicking (also know as Solder Drainage) occurs when the solder flows away from the pad on a PCB, accumulates on the surface of the board and enters nearby via holes and tracks.Usually, the component terminal has a lower melting point than the pad to which it is being soldered. As a result, the component terminal reaches its melting point before the pad and the solder flows away from the pad ...read more

What are Lifted Pads on Printed Circuit Boards?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 22, 2021

A lifted pad on a printed circuit board is a pad that detached from the surface of a PCB. This results in an improper connection to the lead or component causing the PCB board to malfunction or not work. This defect is usually found on single-side PCBs that use a thin copper layer with no through-hole plating. It is caused by excess heat and/or excessive force on the solder joint. The lifted pad i...read more

What is Solder Beading?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Aug 17, 2020

Solder Beads are balls of solder that are created when soldering components on a PCB. They are created due to the use of excessive solder paste when soldering components on a board. Solder beads can cause a short circuit between the component terminals which can result in failure of the circuit. Also, in case there are vibrations, the solder ball can break loose and cause a short circuit somewhere...read more

What is Lead-Free (RoHS) Soldering?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jan 16, 2020

The soldering process which uses a lead-free solder material is called RoHS or Lead-free Soldering. Lead (Pb) based elements are Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls, and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether. Over time these materials can form toxic substances which can threaten human life and the environment.To avoid the use of Lead (Pb) based soldering materials, the European...read more

What are Tin Whiskers?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 20, 2020

Tin Whiskers are conductive, very thin filament or needle-like structures that protrude from a PCB surface having Tin (Electroplated Tin) as final surface finish. Their incubation period is long and may grow from 1 mm to 10mm. They can cause short-circuits which can result in circuit or system failure.Tin whiskers are conductive and carry high currents, which is not at all acceptable. The PCB indu...read more

What is Soft Soldering?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Apr 23, 2024

Soft soldering is a joining process that involves melting a low-temperature alloy, typically containing tin and lead, to bond two or more metal surfaces together. Unlike other soldering techniques such as brazing or welding, soft soldering operates at relatively low temperatures, making it suitable for delicate electronic components and intricate assemblies.Soft soldering plays a crucial role acro...read more

What is Solder Bridging?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 20, 2020

Solder Bridging is an issue that arises at the time of soldering. It occurs when component pads on a PCB get connected due to the application of excess solder. Normally, each pad or component pin is intended to be separated from each other, but the occurrence of a solder bridge connects them and forms a conductive path between them, which can cause the component and thus the circuit to malfunction...read more

What is Pin-in-Paste (PIP) Technology?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jun 14, 2020

The existing mixed PCB assembly process i.e assembling a board with both surface mount and through-hole components consists of two main steps for component placement and soldering. First, the PCB is populated with surface mount devices (SMDs) and soldered by the reflow process. In the second step, the Through Hole components are mounted and soldered by hand or wave soldering process.Pin-in-Paste (...read more

What is Conformal Coating on a PCB?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Aug 17, 2020

A conformal coating is a polymeric thin film applied over a PCB surface to protect the board and its components from corrosion and environmental contaminants. The performance of a PCB can be impacted by many external or environmental factors like moisture, extreme temperature, salt sprays, and chemicals. A conformal coating ensures the protection against PCB against these types of environmental co...read more

What is Reflow Soldering?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Oct 26, 2021

Reflow soldering is a soldering process that is used to solder components on a Printed Circuit Board. A mixture of solder paste and flux is deposited on the PCB where the component leads need to be connected to the copper traces. The paste is sticky, so the components stick to the board. The PCB is then passed through a reflow oven which is maintained at a particular temperature that results in th...read more

What are Mid-Chip Solder Balls?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 18, 2021

Mid-Chip Solder Balls occur when some solder paste detaches from the bulk deposits on the pads and gets stuck under the component. When this cools, it looks like a ball of solder sticking out from under the component. The mid-chip balling defect usually occurs in surface mount / chip components like resistors, inductors and capacitors. This defect reduces the aesthetics of the board more than reli...read more

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