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alloy
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A uniform mixture of two or more materials. One of the materials must be a metal.
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chlorofluorocarbon
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A chemical compound with both chlorine and fluorine, formerly used as refrigerants, propellants, and cleaning solvents. Chlorofluorocarbons were banned because of their negative effects on the ozone layer.
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cold joint
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A dull, poorly soldered joint that does not provide good conductivity.
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conductivity
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A measure of a material's ability to conduct current.
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contact angle
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The angle at which a liquid meets a solid surface. In soldering, contact angle is measured as the distance between the soldering iron and the surface being soldered. Decreased contact angles encourage proper wetting with solders.
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corrosive
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A chemical solid, liquid, or gas capable of irreparably harming living tissues or damaging material on contact. Corrosive chemicals include acids and certain organic materials.
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eutectic point
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The lowest temperature at which a substance will melt.
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flux
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A substance which facilitates soldering, brazing, and welding by chemically cleaning the metals to be joined.
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flux pen
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A flux application tool, usually shaped like a marker pen, that channels controlled amounts of water-soluble flux onto metal surfaces.
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fume extractor
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A device designed to remove harmful fumes caused by solder and flux from the soldering workstation by filtering the air.
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good joint
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A properly soldered joint that provides good conductivity.
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halide
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A highly reactive, highly corrosive compound that attacks dirt and bacteria. Chlorine and flouride are common halides.
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heat transfer
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The passage of thermal energy, i.e. energy in the form of heat, from a hot to a cold body.
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icicles
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Jagged extensions or spikes protruding from a soldered joint. Icicles can be caused by an iron that is too cool.
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lead
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A soft, heavy, toxic, and malleable metal often used in solder. Because of the serious health hazards associated with lead exposure, there is a growing movement to eliminate lead from all consumer products.
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lead-based solder
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Solder that contains more than 0.2% lead. Lead-based solder has been the standard soldering alloy for the past several decades.
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lead-free solder
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Solder that contains less than 0.2% lead. Lead-free solder has different properties and appearance than lead-based solder. Lead-free solder is dull and grainy, and requires hotter soldering temperatures.
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lead-free soldering
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Soldering with metal alloys that contain only trace amounts of lead, or no lead at all.
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ORH1
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A specific flux classification. Composition is organic (OR) with high activity (H) and the presence of a halide (1).
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oxidation
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A material's chemical reaction with oxygen. Oxidation causes rust and tarnish to form on metal surfaces and also prevents solder from properly bonding to surfaces.
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Pb-free solder
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Solder that contains less than 0.2% lead. Pb is the atomic symbol for lead.
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pre-tinned
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Tinned by the manufacturer before the tip has ever been used.
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SAC
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Tin (Sn), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu). This is one of the most commonly used lead-free alloys.
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SnCu
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Tin (Sn) and copper (Cu). This is one of the most commonly used lead-free alloys.
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surface tension
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An effect within the surface layer of a liquid that causes that layer to behave as an elastic sheet. This effect allows insects (such as the water strider) to walk on water, and causes capillary action.
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thermal profile
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The range of temperatures involved in a heating process.
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toxic
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Poisonous or harmful. Many substances can be harmless with small amounts of exposure and toxic with large amounts of exposure.
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water table
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The water table is found underground. Rock and soil are saturated with water that can feed or seep into wells or other water sources used by people for drinking.
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wettability
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The ability of a liquid to spread out over a surface.
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wetting
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The behavior of a liquid when the liquid contacts a solid surface. Liquids with poor wetting ability tend to form droplets, while liquids with good wetting ability tend to spread out evenly over the solid surface area.
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whiskers
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A crystalline metallurgical phenomenon whereby metal grows tiny, filiform hairs. The effect is primarily seen on elemental metals but also occurs with alloys.
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wicking
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Capillary action that draws a liquid up and away from a surface.
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