[sdiy] solder types

[epeasant at telusplanet.net]

OK, I just HAD to look it up.

<nitpickingmode=on>

>From Merriam-Webster's:


Main Entry: hy·dro·phil·ic 
Pronunciation: "hI-dr&-'fi-lik
Function: adjective
Etymology: New Latin hydrophilus, from Greek hydr- + -philos -philous
Date: 1916
: of, relating to, or having a strong affinity for water <hydrophilic proteins>

- hy·dro·phi·lic·i·ty  /"hI-dr&-fi-'li-s&-tE/ noun 


vs.


Main Entry: hy·gro·scop·ic 
Pronunciation: "hI-gr&-'skä-pik
Function: adjective
Etymology: hygroscope, an instrument showing changes in humidity + 1-ic; from
the use of such materials in the hygroscope
Date: 1790
1 : readily taking up and retaining moisture
2 : taken up and retained under some conditions of humidity and temperature
<hygroscopic water in clay>
- hy·gro·scop·ic·i·ty  /-(")skä-'pi-s&-tE/ noun 


Hmmm, I think I prefer the latter...

</nitpickingmode>

Take care,
Doug

______________________
The Electronic Peasant

www.electronicpeasant.com


>
>> I personally use Kester 331 (organic core) for soldering PC boards.  However,

>> you have to be careful with this stuff.  If you go to Kesters website, you

>> will
>> find that all of their solder fluxes are optional to clean,
>
>It seems like all solder flux may become water sensitive (hydrophilic) after

>enough years go by. The mildly activated resin core may begin to absorb
>water after 25 years. I successfully fixed some of the old Serge 76 kit
>boards by just defluxing them. There was apparently enough leakage to cause

>a VCO to drift, they were much better after the boards were defluxed.
>
>Once a senior engineer told me the real purpose of defluxing is so the
>solder joints can be properly inspected. But I think it has additional
>benefits for critical analog circuits.
>
>