| activator |
A substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without being affected itself. |
| activity |
The measure of flux cleaning strength. The more active the flux, the more effectively it cleans. |
| adhesive bonding |
The joining of two or more materials through the use of a nonmetallic material such as liquids, drops, or gels. |
| alloy |
A uniform mixture of two or more materials. One of the materials must be a metal. |
| ammonia |
A toxic and corrosive compound with a characteristic pungent odor. |
| antimony |
A blue-white metal used in a wide variety of alloys, electronics, and rubber. |
| arcing |
Overheating that occurs when electricity flows from one surface to another. Electric arcs are dangerous because they can cause electric shock as well as burns and UV radiation. |
| bismuth |
A white, brittle metal with a pinkish tinge that is added to steel to improve machinability. |
| brazing |
A process in which a filler metal is melted at a temperature above 840° F (450° C), but below the melting point of the base metals to form a joint between two base metals. Brazing differs from welding because only the filler metal is melted. |
| capillary action |
The ability of a substance to draw a liquid upwards against the force of gravity. For example, solder clings to a lead wire protruding upward from a PCB hole through capillary action. |
| clamps |
Devices used to join, grip, support, or compress mechanical or structural parts. |
| cold joint |
A dull, poorly soldered joint that does not provide good conductivity. |
| conduction |
The transmission of heat across matter. |
| conductivity |
The measure of a material's ability to conduct heat or electric current. |
| convection |
The transfer of potential energy, for example heat, by currents within a fluid. |
| desoldering |
The removal of solder and components from a circuit for troubleshooting and repair purposes. |
| electrical assembly |
An electrical assembly is made from a frame, an electrical connector, and a self-contained part known as a module. |
| electrically conductive |
Electrical conductivity refers to an object's ability to transmit an electrical charge. |
| electronics fabrication |
The design, test, manufacture, and distribution of electronic components and assemblies. |
| eutectic point |
The lowest temperature at which a substance will melt. |
| flux |
A substance that facilitates soldering, brazing, and welding by chemically cleaning the metals to be joined. |
| flux pen |
A flux application tool, usually shaped like a marker pen, that channels controlled amounts of water-soluble flux onto metal surfaces. |
| fume extractor |
A fan or vent that diverts toxic fumes away from the soldering work area. |
| hand soldering |
Soldering that is performed manually with a soldering iron. |
| heat transfer |
The passage of thermal energy, i.e. energy in the form of heat, from a hot to a cold body. |
| hydrochloric acid |
An acidic, highly corrosive chemical compound used in industry. |
| inorganic |
Composed of matter other than plant or animal. |
| joint |
The point at which two pieces of metal make contact and are bonded together with solder. |
| lead |
A soft, heavy, toxic and malleable metal often used in solder. |
| organic |
Derived from a living organism. |
| oxidation |
A material's chemical reaction with oxygen. Oxidation causes rust and tarnish to form on metal surfaces, and prevents solder from bonding. |
| PCBs |
In electronics, printed circuit boards, or PCBs, are used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, or traces, etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive surface. |
| photons |
Particles of light energy produced by the sun. |
| radiation |
A process of emission of energy in the form of waves or particles. |
| reflow soldering |
An automated soldering process in which PCBs are run through an oven on a conveyor belt. Heat from the oven causes granules of solder to melt and form a joint. |
| residue |
A substance deposited or left behind by a reaction or event. |
| robot |
A mechanical device that automatically performs complicated and repetitive taks. Robots often perform work that is too dangerous or strenuous for humans. |
| rosin-based |
A rosin-based flux is composed of rosin, a substance derived from the sap of pine trees. |
| short circuits |
An interruption in the intended flow of electricity, especially when current flows "short" of reaching a device. A short circuit causes excess current flow. |
| silver |
A silvery white metal that has the highest electrical conductivity of all metals. Silver is also fairly expensive. |
| solder |
A fusible metal alloy, with a melting point or melting range below 840°F (450° C), which is melted to join metallic surfaces, especially in the fields of electronics and plumbing, in a process called soldering. |
| soldering |
A process in which a filler metal is melted at temperatures below 840° (450° C) to form a joint between two base metals. Soldering is often used for delicate projects such as jewelry and electronics. |
| soldering iron |
A tool used to transfer heat to a metal surface in order to melt solder and form a joint or circuit. Most soldering irons resemble a large pen. |
| soldering iron stand |
A non-flammable stand upon which to set a hot soldering iron. |
| soldering station |
An all-in-one combination of soldering accessories: soldering iron, iron stand, cleaning pad, energy source. Some stations include fume extractors as well. |
| tin |
A silvery white metal that is very soft and has poor strength. Tin is used in soldering alloys. |
| tinning |
The action of applying a trace amount of solder to the tip of the soldering iron in order to facilitate the heat transfer process. |
| toxic |
Poisonous or harmful. Lead is considered to be highly toxic. |
| vapor-phase soldering |
An automated soldering process in which PCBs are put in a chamber with a volatile liquid chemical at the bottom. The chemical is heated to its boiling point to form steam, and the steam heats the solder paste at the bottom of the board. |
| water-soluble |
The ability of a substance to dissolve in water. |
| wave soldering |
An automated soldering process in which PCBs are loaded onto a conveyor that passes over a vat of molten solder. As the conveyor belt moves, a wave is created with a pump. The bottom of the board hits the crest of the wave, and the solder sticks through capillary action. |
| welding |
The joining of two pieces of metal together through the application of heat. |
| wetting |
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. |
| whiskers |
A crystalline metallurgical phenomenon whereby metal grows tiny, filiform hairs. The effect is primarily seen on elemental metals but also occurs with alloys. |