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Information Sheets
Soldering
Soldering employs lead or tin-based alloys with melting points below 425 deg C and in commonly referred to as "soft" soldering. "Hard" soldering using alloy s with melting point above 425 deg C (for example, using silver, copper or nickel) is generally known as brazing (see this page).
Soldering is used to provide a joint that does not require any great mechanical strength. It is often used in combination with mechanical staking, folding or crimping with the solder being used for sealing or electrical contact.
A wide variety of solder materials have been developed to suit most applications. The surfaces of metals being soldered must be clean to get good adhesion. Fluxes are used to clean the surfaces and prevent the formation of oxides. It should be noted that many fluxes give off noxious or toxic fume when being used and required dedicated fume extraction.
The prime advantage of the laser being used as the heat source for soldering is the the heat source can be applied in a very controlled manner with control being over the position, the size of the area being heated and the amount and duration of the applied heat. The laser also applies heat without any contact with the materials being soldered or applying any mechanical forces to those materials. The laser has great application is reflow soldering techniques used in the electronics industry.