What Is Soldering

What is Soldering :-

Soldering is the act of joining two metals by one solder. It is an alloy and the melting point of the alloy is much less than that of the metal.

Solder :-

Solder tin and lead are made by mixing different amounts and its melting point is 205 degrees centigrade. The melting point of tin is 232 degree centigrade and lead is 327 degree centigrade. Solders are of the following types.
1. Soft Solder
2. Hard Solder
3. German Silver Solder
4. Hard German Silver Solder
Only soft solder is used in electrical work which is made by mixing lead and tin. Its melting point is from 150 degree centigrade to 300 degree centigrade but it gets melting point of 96 degree centigrade by mixing bismuth and antimony. . Hard solder is made by mixing copper and zinc. Some quantity of silver is also added to it. Its melting point is from 350 degree centigrade to 600 degree centigrade. It is used in plumber work.

S.No	Tin	Lead	Antimony	Melting point Degree centrigrade	Usee
1	60%	40%		190	For radio, TV and electrical equipment
2	50%	50%		205	For electrical equipment
3	40%	60%		230	For sheet metal
4	33%	66%	1%	245	To plumber
5	5%	93.5%	1.5% silver	296-301	For high temperature work such as copper, brass etc.

Soldering requirement- 

Soldering is required to strengthen the wire joint and reduce resistance to electrical current.

Uses of Flux - 

When a metal is heated due to oxygen in the air, a layer of oxides is formed on it. The material used to remove it is called flux. The melting point of the flux is always lower than the melting point of the solder and it acts as an aid in the soldering process. Fluxes are of different types and are found in the form of powder paste and liquid.

S.No	Metal	Flux
1	Electric goods	Broza or Fluxcyte
2	Copper or alloys	Broza or Talo
3	Aluminum	Aayre No. 7
4	Iron sheets	Jink Chloride
5	G.I. sheets	Light hydrochloride

Advantages And Losses of Soldering:-

Advantages-
1. By this small parts and thin sheets can be added temporarily.
2. They can be added quickly at low temperatures.
3. Soldering does not require any special experience or expertise.
4. It can be applied at a lower price.

Losses-
There are many benefits of soldering, but there are also some disadvantages such as it opens only when it is slightly warm and due to raw soldering it cannot be applied on heavy and thick plates.

The following points should be kept in mind while choosing soldering -

1. The melting point of the solder should be less than the melting point of the metal to be added
2. Solder must be strong
3. Solder should spread easily
4. Must be well connected to the metal to be added.

The following points should be kept in mind for good soldering -

1. The joint should be clean and smooth
2. There should not be any effect of oxidation on the joint while soldering.
3. Before applying solder, heat the joint to a temperature slightly higher than the melting point of the solder so that the solder spreads easily.