Introduction
Spreading soldering is a fabrication technique used to construct connections between two metal components with the use of a filler material, usually solder. Often referred to as “spread welding”, this method is regularly employed in order to establish electrical conductivity between two substrates. It is primarily used in the electronics industry during the manufacturing process. This type of fabrication process has a wide variety of applications; for example, in aviation, missile and satellite equipment, precision instruments, and biomedical technologies.
History
The Use of soldering dates back to ancient times, yet it was not until the early 20th century that the concept of spreading soldering evolved. By the ‘60s, the process had been refined to include the use of solder wick and paste which could be used to create conductive joints. This method of joining is much faster than the traditional method of using clamps and screws. During this time, the technique was mainly used in the production of electronic components and it quickly became the preferred method of bonding materials.
Theory Behind Spread Soldering
Spreading soldering involves melting a filler material such as solder onto two surfaces or components. The filler material is heated until it has reached its melting point, at which point it will spread between the two components, creating an electrical connection. This spreads across the two components to create two separate and distinct thermal interfaces. The melted solder will also build-up at either end of the joint, creating a physical bond and ensuring that the connection is secure.
Methods of Spread Soldering
There are several methods for performing the process of spreading soldering, the most common being nozzle applied paste, hand-bonding, and solder wicking. Nozzle applied paste involves positioning a solder paste at the joint and using an air compressor to create air pressure to spread the solder paste. This method is useful when working with delicate components since the pressure applied is gentle.
Another important method of spreading solder is hand-bonding. This method involves manually manipulating the solder to evenly spread it across both components. The components are typically positioned in a heated workstation. The solder is then heated and manipulated with tools until it is evenly spread across both components. This method is labour intensive, but is often preferred since it allows the operator to have more control over the results.
Finally, solder wicking is the process of applying a ball of flux-coated solder across two components and applying gentle pressure to the ball until it spreads across the joint.
Benefits of Spread Soldering
The main benefit of Spread Soldering is that it allows for the rapid, consistent creation of electrical connections between two surfaces. This process also ensures that the components are securely fastened and makes the process of soldering easier to manage. This method of soldering is also user friendly; even inexperienced operators can quickly become familiar with this soldering technique.
In addition to its efficiency, Spread Soldering is also cost-effective and energy-efficient. As this method requires significantly less heat, than direct soldering, it reduces costs associated with electricity consumption.
Conclusion
Spreading Soldering is an efficient, cost-effective method of soldering. This fabrication technique has a wide variety of applications in the electronics industry and can be employed with success in the production of precision instruments, medical applications, and aerospace technology. The process of Spread Soldering is user-friendly and requires minimal effort; even inexperienced operators can be trained to complete this task quickly and accurately.
