Hi Ron,
The sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride) which was widely used back in the days
to clean the soldering iron tips is very corrosive agent when heated.
Under hight temperature the ammonium chloride breaks down as NH4CL + heat
to NH3 (ammonia) and HCL (Hydrocloride, which when solved in water is known
as Murratic acid).
The HCL does the cleaning of the soldering iron tip and it is an extremly
corrosive agent (not to mentioned what will do to your lungs - it turns into
murratic acid and can cause swelling, inflamation, etc). Just the vapours
and the particles on the soldering iron tip will cause corrosion to the
electronics if used during the soldering process.
Its OK to clean the iron every once in awhile but its very BAD idea to use
it as soldering aid (as flux). On other hand it is used as a component of
the flux in the plumbing.
73s
KB1FZA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 10:38 PM
Subject: Sal Ammoniac (WAS: [Elecraft] Hakko 808 tips)
Steve, AA4K wrote:
I'd be very reluctant to use a soldering iron tip cleaned with sal ammoniac
on electronic equipment. For some manufacturers, it will void the warranty.
----------------------
Now that's an interesting thought. What possible harm does a common salt
(NH4)Cl do, especially if it's used as a cleaner that is long gone before
the iron ever approaches an electronic component, not as a soldering aid.
It's been a long time since I fiddled with that strange stuff, but Jerry
reminds me that it is an excellent de-oxidizer. One of its interesting
properties is that it is NEVER a liquid. It is either a solid or a gas,
depending upon the temperature. It's the gas boiling off of the solid
material when heated that provides the cleaning action.
I've never seen an electronics company that worried about irons that had
been cleaned with the stuff, Steve. Please fill us in!
Ron AC7AC
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
