Questions & Answers on Soldering

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What is Lead-based (non-RoHS) Soldering?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jan 16, 2020

The technique which uses a solder material containing lead is called lead-based soldering. It is also called non-RoHS soldering since it doesn’t comply with the regulations set by Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), a European Union directive that restricts the use of solder material containing lead.

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 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 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 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 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 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 Solder Paste?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Sep 11, 2020

Solder Paste is a form of solder than can be easily applied on a Printed Circuit Board. It has a viscous state and is grey in color. The paste consists of a combination of tiny balls of solder and flux mixed together to form a paste. It is applied to the pads on a PCB where electronic components need to be placed. When heated this paste melts to form a connection between the pads and the leads of ...read more

What is Solder?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Sep 27, 2020

Solder is the adhesive material used for connecting two metals together. Most often it is used to connect electronic component leads to pads or holes on a PCB to form electrical connections between the components. To make the connection, solder is heated to its melting point and then applied on the leads or pads/holes to make a connection. Solder materials are selected to have a melting point belo...read more

What is Organic Solderability Preservative (OSP) or Anti-Tarnish Surface Finish?

Soldering

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jun 14, 2020

The overall functionality of a PCB board depends upon the conductivity of copper tracks. These tracks tend to oxidize when exposed to the atmosphere, which creates a problem when soldering components on the board. Organic Solderability Preservative(OSP) regulates two things; temporary protection of exposed copper from being oxidized and improving the solderability before component fixation (assemb...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 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

What is a Flux Remover?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 18, 2021

A Flux Remover is a chemical solvent that is used to clean or remove flux residue, white residue, and other impurities from the surface of a PCB. Typically, the isopropyl alcohol or water-based solvents are used as flux removers.Flux residue is usually found on the Printed Circuit Board after the soldering process, during desoldering, when repairing the PCB or in the rework process. This residue n...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

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

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