Alcohol- and water-based fluxes for a wide range of applications
Alcohol- and water-based fluxes, also known as hybrid fluxes, have been developed for use in wave soldering and selective soldering. These fluxes offer excellent soldering properties, particularly in terms of spray flux distribution, step-through, and wetting of the circuit board. They provide a wide process window with high thermal stability, ensuring consistent and reliable results. Additionally, after application, circuit boards remain visually clean, reducing the need for further processing.
Emil Otto’s hybrid fluxes combine the advantages of both water-based and alcohol-based fluxes in electronics manufacturing. They evaporate as quickly as alcohol-based fluxes, while being as environmentally friendly as water-based alternatives.
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Key benefits of alcohol- and water-based fluxes
Hybrid fluxes ensure optimal wetting of solder joints, leading to high soldering quality. This is particularly beneficial for complex electronic assemblies with small tolerances. The even distribution of spray flux improves the overall connection quality, ensuring strong and reliable joints.
Compared to pure alcohol-based fluxes, hybrid fluxes leave less residues on assemblies. In many cases, these fluxes reduce or even eliminate the need for post-process cleaning. This not only lowers production costs but also maintains electrical performance without contamination risks.
The alcohol components in hybrid fluxes promote rapid evaporation, reducing drying times. This is especially advantageous for high-speed production lines, where cycle time optimization is crucial.
Hybrid fluxes contain fewer flammable substances and contribute to a lower environmental impact than purely alcohol-based alternatives. Their formulation helps reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions, making them an ideal choice for manufacturers aiming to minimize their ecological footprint.
Hybrid fluxes are suitable for various soldering methods, including wave soldering, selective soldering, and manual soldering. Their universal usability makes them a versatile solution for modern electronics manufacturing.
By combining the advantages of different flux types, hybrid fluxes enhance process reliability. They help minimize process fluctuations, ensuring consistently high soldering results. This is particularly beneficial for applications where precision and stability are critical.
Since hybrid fluxes require minimal cleaning and rework, they contribute to significant cost savings. Additionally, their ability to support multiple soldering processes simplifies logistics and inventory management, making them a cost-effective choice for the electronics industry.
With the industry shifting towards lead-free soldering, hybrid fluxes provide a highly efficient solution that meets modern manufacturing requirements. The advantages are particularly apparent in environments that have to comply with strict environmental and safety regulations.