Disintegrating Soldering Iron Tip

[Steelven]

After a few hours practicing desoldering on old computer boards with a cheap RadioShack 40W (~800F) iron, I noticed the very tip started disintegrating. My preparations were instruction manual-perfect; before melting each contact I applied flux, Oatey No.5 paste containing ammonium chloride and zinc chloride, to prevent oxidation and improve wetting, and after, to clean oxidation and residue from the tip frequently, I vigorously brushed it with steel wool, which I now figure might be damaging given how abrasive it is and how thin the copper core’s protective coating is. Or–without verifying with chemical calculations–I figured the strength of the flux’s acid dissolved both the coating and copper, or only the copper after wool exposed it. Furthermore, from what little I’ve read, 600-700F of 15-25W irons are sufficient for most solder alloys. So is the flux’s acid too strong when liquified; the steel wool too abrasive; the soldering iron poor quality or too hot; or a combination?

 

Thanks

[AJISH ALFRED]

Hi Steelven,

Get a ‘soldering stand sponge’ from your local electronic shop. Keep it always wet. Each and every time afer your solder a point, clean your soldering iron’s tip by rubbing on to that wet sponge.

It will prevent the iron from overheating and also keep the tip very clean. 

[smart]

^{Hi steelven,}

^{Apply sufficient amount of flux to the contact before you soldered.}

^{and wipe the tip of the soldering gun to remove any excess lead.}

^{better to use sponge to clean the tip. and after soldering rub the}

^{tip of the soldering gun with a blade like material.}

^{Good luck} 

 

[Author]

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