Alcohol-based fluxes from Emil Otto

A flux that brings good soldering and performance properties to each individual application is needed should the wave-soldering system run only on certain days of the month in electronics production whereas in contrast hand soldering is conducted daily with different task assignments. The customer is not just able to minimize storage costs this way, but also avoid a potential source of error from unintentionally interchanging the fluxes.

All of the fluxes in the multi-flux assortment meet DIN EN 61 190-1-1 with L0 classification regarding corrosion behaviour, freedom from halogen, and surface resistivity of the uncleaned flux residues. Moreover they've been tested for SIR behaviour according to an ‘Emil Otto in-house test’ based on the above-mentioned standard and recommendations of the Fraunhofer Institute Oberpfaffenhofen. ‘All of the multi-flux-series products have passed the tests and are hence approved for customer use. The solder's behaviour and the cleanliness of the circuit board’s surface were particularly notable’, says Geßner in retrospect.

Product variants A, B, and C were developed for the EO-B-001, EO-B-002 and EO-B-07 fluxes. ‘So we can offer the customer products that are matched even more closely to his application area’, Geßner emphasizes. The A variants generally have a low solids content of 1–2%. These variants were developed specially for full-tunnel-nitrogen applications. They feature a wide process window and great temperature stability to guarantee a better soldering result under full nitrogen.

The B variants on the other hand represent the standard version with a solids content of 3%. This is the all-round version, which Emil Otto was already offering on the market. The B variant is also offered as a dosing pen or dosing bottle, making it ideal for small applications.

The C variant, which exhibits a solids content of 4%, rounds out the spectrum. This was developed especially for power electronics where large component bodies have to be soldered at low mounting densities.

In addition to the alcohol-based fluxes that have already been developed and introduced in the market during the past year, the EO-B-006, EO-B-007, and EO-B-008 fluxes have also been added to the product range. EO-B-006 is a rosin-free flux. EO-B-007 is an economical alternative flux that can be used for wave, selective, and manual soldering.

At 4%, EO-B-008 has a high solids content. EO-B-008 was specially developed for short wave-soldering systems where the circuit board spends dwell time in the preheating phase. The subsequent soldering procedure occurs in a very active wave. Thanks to EO-B-008, the circuit board exhibits very good soldering results with very clean surface after the soldering procedure.