Solid-Solvent Solder Flux Composition for Low-Residue Processability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The flux used in resin flux cored solder tends to leave residue when heated, causing issues with the soldering process, as it is difficult to maintain fluidity and prevent carbonization, leading to narrowed passages in soldering irons and reduced processability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a solid solvent, such as neopentyl glycol or phenol-based solid solvents, which maintain viscosity and prevent volatilization at room temperature, while also acting as activators to remove metal oxides and reduce residue formation during soldering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If rosin is used as the base material of flux, then low residue is achieved, but the flux becomes hard to maintain fluidity and requires higher heating temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresidueVSAvoidheating temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the flux by incorporating specific solid solvents (neopentyl glycol, phenol-based solid solvents) with controlled amounts (70-99.5 wt% solid solvent, 0.5-30 wt% activator). This parameter change allows the flux to maintain appropriate viscosity and fluidity at lower temperatures while still achieving low residue through controlled volatilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If flux is contained in resin flux cored solder, then strong joint is obtained, but the flux may be adhered to soldering iron and cause burnt deposits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint strengthVSAvoidburnt deposits
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of flux residue into a benefit by selecting solid solvents that volatilize cleanly at soldering temperatures. The solid solvent components are chosen to evaporate completely or leave minimal residue, transforming what would be a harmful carbonizing substance into a beneficial volatile component that prevents burnt deposits while maintaining joint strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The flux composition is designed with solid solvents that are intended to be consumed (volatilized) during the soldering process. These components serve their purpose of removing oxides and facilitating bonding, then deliberately evaporate away, leaving minimal trace. This disposable nature of the flux components prevents long-term accumulation of harmful residues in the soldering iron.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If flux is heated to exceed melting point of solder, then soldering is achieved, but the flux residue becomes carbides and narrows passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoldering efficiencyVSAvoidpassage width
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the carbonization problem by selecting solid solvent components that preferentially volatilize before carbonizing. The solid solvents (neopentyl glycol, phenol-based compounds) are chosen for their ability to evaporate cleanly at soldering temperatures, converting what would be carbon-forming material into beneficial vapor that exits through the soldering iron passage without narrowing it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The flux with solid solvents ensures effective removal of metal oxides and minimizes residue formation, maintaining processability and preventing clogging in soldering irons, even at elevated temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

the flux used in soldering generally has effects of chemically removing metal oxides present on solder and a metal surface of a joint target to be soldered

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical activation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

they are volatile at a heat history estimated in the soldering and suppress carbonization by the successive heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolatilization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

The flux used in the resin flux cored solder is required to be a solid or a liquid but having high viscosity behavior on processability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosity: Viscometer

Data Source

PatentEP3815839B1Flux for resin flux cored solder, resin flux cored solder, flux for flux-coated solder, flux-coated solder, and soldering method
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 SENJU METAL IND CO LTD
  • EP3815839B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3815839B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3815839B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

Provided are flux for resin flux cored solder, flux for flux-coated solder, resin flux cored solder using the flux for resin flux cored solder, flux-coated solder using the flux for flux-coated solder, and a soldering method, which have low residue and are excellent in processability. The flux for resin flux cored solder or flux-coated solder contains a solid solvent in an amount of 70 wt% or more and 99.5 wt% or less, and an activator in an amount of 0.5 wt% or more and 30 wt% or less. In addition, the flux contains a phenol-based solid solvent in an amount of 70 wt% or more and 100 wt% or less, and an activator in an amount of 0 wt% or more and 30 wt% or less. Additionally, the flux contains a phenol-based solid solvent in an amount of more than 0 wt% and 30 wt% or less, a solid solvent other than the phenol-based solid solvent in an amount of 70 wt% or more and 99.5 wt% or less, and an activator in an amount of 0 wt% or more and 30 wt% or less.