Solder Flux or Solder Paste

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Hello all,

I am somehow new to SMD soldering, and to some - lets say - soldering
techniques. I was just wondering, will applying liquid from a solder
flux pen to the surface I want to mount the SMD component on be enough
or I also need to apply solder paste then. Also, if I have to apply
solder paste, which goes first the solder flux or paste.

Thank you for your help, and excuse my ignorant questions.

A2K

 

[Leon]

Hello all,

I am somehow new to SMD soldering, and to some - lets say - soldering
techniques. I was just wondering, will applying liquid from a solder
flux pen to the surface I want to mount the SMD component on be enough
or I also need to apply solder paste then. Also, if I have to apply
solder paste, which goes first the solder flux or paste.

Thank you for your help, and excuse my ignorant questions.

A2K

Flux is often used with conventional wire solder when using manual
soldering techniques like drag soldering. Solder paste is used for
reflow soldering and contains flux.

Leon

 

[Rich Grise]

Flux is often used with conventional wire solder when using manual
soldering techniques like drag soldering. Solder paste is used for
reflow soldering and contains flux.

I _did_ find a use for liquid flux once:

In the USAF, in the "avionics" shops ("aviation electronics"), they
generally have about a quart jug of liquid flux on hand. I never used
it for soldering, because we used rosin-core solder, and I know how to
solder. ;-) I did find an awesome application for the liquid flux,
however. They have spools of some waxed flat string that they use for
lacing cables
(example: http://www.dairiki.org/hammond/cable-lacing-howto/ )
and inside an airplane, everything gets covered with oily crud, so it's
practically impossible to get a grip on anything. I poured a little of the
liquid flux on my fingers, let it dry, and, well, I had rosin on my
fingers, so they were, like, anti-slippery. Laced the cable right up!

Cheers!
Rich