Hello! This is my first post.
Summary:
Had questions about soldering regarding the chemistry and physics.
Background:
Used a Canadian Tire Soldering iron for past hobby projects and fixes. Threw it out after I bought this cheap soldering iron kit (60W, analog dial for varrying temperature) on Amazon for 40 bucks (CAD)... (Maybe that was a mistake in hindsight) To add insult to injury, I ended up finding the same one on Aliexpress for about half the price.
Now, bad decisions aside, I've soldered a few things and doodads over my relatively short life as I've always been a computer enthusiast since I was a child and do plan to professionally consult in electronics+programming. But, regarding practice: I haven't done it in a long while and forgot some of the details I once learned. Currently, am struggling with basic soldering... Trying to remove and replace an HDMI female connector on a little buddies PS4 mobo. Simply tried to wick up solder on pins and soldered mounts. The result: Black residue (there's some conformal coating on the PCB or something? Comes off with isopropyl alcohol). Not so pretty joints. *lets out big sigh of disappointment*
And, I am struggling though in the past I've had no problem with my hobby electronic dabblings like this (albeit the components or wires were a little larger)... So, now, after the set backs and frustration and disappointment over such a simple thing, I am wondering about the science behind it to guide how I should solder. So, without further adieu, on to the question:
Question:
Can you solder too hot? Anyone have tips (no pun intended)? Is it me? Is it my iron?
Post-question comments:
I've googled it and it seems like no one online on forums and instructional videos have said that there is a "too hot". They actually state the opposite. Someone who "taught this for years" said, "the hotter the better". And, most people who I saw comment on soldering temps have said the hotter the better (based on their experience).
But, my issue, then, is this: rates of oxidation. If my soldering iron tip oxides more rapidly at an unneccesarily high temperature (simply because rate of reaction of oxidation increases with increasing temperature as seen by blackening residue on soldering iron tip and neck), that will create an oxide layer which is not good for bonding and, (maybe insignificantly) reduce heat transfer. But, based on my understanding, it doesn't stop there: if I heat up my workpiece with a overly hot iron, I vaporize the flux, and, though it reduces and removes oxides from work-piece surface once heated, the surface may oxidize again rapidly due to heating (now, this may be true, but is this significant if soldering quickly enough?).
Also, I had this old piece of copper de-soldering wick in my kit... The capillary action and "removing" action doesn't seem so good? In the past, I would flux the wick and it would help if memory serves... But, this time I didn't... And, maybe my sweaty hands get on the braid and effect the wicking action... Do people wear gloves for this?
And, in reading these thoughts, you probably get how I do things: I'm a "Theory drives practice" kinda person... So, help on this matter would be sincerely appreciated as my practice is lacking and I want to make sure I understand the theory...
Thanks for reading and your thoughts! All friendly tips and comments are appreciated!
Summary:
Had questions about soldering regarding the chemistry and physics.
Background:
Used a Canadian Tire Soldering iron for past hobby projects and fixes. Threw it out after I bought this cheap soldering iron kit (60W, analog dial for varrying temperature) on Amazon for 40 bucks (CAD)... (Maybe that was a mistake in hindsight) To add insult to injury, I ended up finding the same one on Aliexpress for about half the price.
Now, bad decisions aside, I've soldered a few things and doodads over my relatively short life as I've always been a computer enthusiast since I was a child and do plan to professionally consult in electronics+programming. But, regarding practice: I haven't done it in a long while and forgot some of the details I once learned. Currently, am struggling with basic soldering... Trying to remove and replace an HDMI female connector on a little buddies PS4 mobo. Simply tried to wick up solder on pins and soldered mounts. The result: Black residue (there's some conformal coating on the PCB or something? Comes off with isopropyl alcohol). Not so pretty joints. *lets out big sigh of disappointment*
And, I am struggling though in the past I've had no problem with my hobby electronic dabblings like this (albeit the components or wires were a little larger)... So, now, after the set backs and frustration and disappointment over such a simple thing, I am wondering about the science behind it to guide how I should solder. So, without further adieu, on to the question:
Question:
Can you solder too hot? Anyone have tips (no pun intended)? Is it me? Is it my iron?
Post-question comments:
I've googled it and it seems like no one online on forums and instructional videos have said that there is a "too hot". They actually state the opposite. Someone who "taught this for years" said, "the hotter the better". And, most people who I saw comment on soldering temps have said the hotter the better (based on their experience).
But, my issue, then, is this: rates of oxidation. If my soldering iron tip oxides more rapidly at an unneccesarily high temperature (simply because rate of reaction of oxidation increases with increasing temperature as seen by blackening residue on soldering iron tip and neck), that will create an oxide layer which is not good for bonding and, (maybe insignificantly) reduce heat transfer. But, based on my understanding, it doesn't stop there: if I heat up my workpiece with a overly hot iron, I vaporize the flux, and, though it reduces and removes oxides from work-piece surface once heated, the surface may oxidize again rapidly due to heating (now, this may be true, but is this significant if soldering quickly enough?).
Also, I had this old piece of copper de-soldering wick in my kit... The capillary action and "removing" action doesn't seem so good? In the past, I would flux the wick and it would help if memory serves... But, this time I didn't... And, maybe my sweaty hands get on the braid and effect the wicking action... Do people wear gloves for this?
And, in reading these thoughts, you probably get how I do things: I'm a "Theory drives practice" kinda person... So, help on this matter would be sincerely appreciated as my practice is lacking and I want to make sure I understand the theory...
Thanks for reading and your thoughts! All friendly tips and comments are appreciated!