Tip Care: How to Maximize Cartridge Tip Life
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© 2006 OK International. Technical Note v2.2; 05/14/07
Tip Care: How to Maximize Cartridge Tip Life
Dewetting:
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Turn the system off when not in use.
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Use the lowest possible temperature when soldering. Low temperature reduces oxidation.
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Keep tips tinned when in use and during storage. This keeps air from the tip.
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Use a flux with suitable activity during soldering.
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Use only clean sponges. Use de-ionized, purified water to wet the sponges.
Below, oxides & other build-up on tip prevent wetting.
No-Clean Solders:
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Use the lowest possible temperature. Low temperature reduces thermal oxidation, solvent
volatilization, and polymerization.
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Use an RMA wire solder or solder paste to tin the tip after use.
Heater Care:
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Do not use pliers to change tip cartridges. Use a Cartridge Removal Pad.
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Do not drop tip cartridges onto hard surfaces.
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For surface mount tips, do not bang the tips to dislodge components. Use a sponge.
