pic: Soldering accidents...

[Al Skierkiewicz]

For those of you just stopping by, there are different types of solders. The type referred to in the previous post does not contain flux. Without flux, the solder and the wires are dissimilar metals and have oxidation on the surfaces preventing the solder from adhering to the metals. In soldering pipe, an acid base flux is wiped on the surfaces before they are heated. In wire solder, the flux is internal to the solder wire. It is usually in a single core rosin based flux running down the center of the solder wire. Some manufacturers make a multi core flux. In either case the flux melts with the solder and flows onto the joint during the process. Flux does not make up for dirty surfaces or improper heating of the wires. Do not use pipe solder/acid flux with electronics wiring particularly on circuit boards.