Flux for soldering Zinc or Aluminum wires

5 Aug 2024

Hi all,

I have been struggling hard to find reasonable and comprehensible information on how to solder aluminum or zinc wire to a PCB. There are many texts online but all of the just say something in line with "make sure to use a flux that is suitable for soldering to aluminum [or zinc]". But I want to know what flux that is. If anyone can share information on this, it would be highly appreciated! If you have a link to a product that can actually be purchased, it would be great!

Thanks in advance.

Robert

Top Comments

shabaz 3 months ago +1

Hi, if you can, it is far easier to design around the problem and eliminate the need. One example method is to use ferrules: Although ferrules are better on stranded wire, they still work with solid…

anniel747 3 months ago in reply to anniel747

www.farnell.com/.../1683972.pdf
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anniel747 3 months ago

ALU-SOL 45D is effective an easy to use.

canada.newark.com/.../15J8243
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shabaz 3 months ago

Hi, if you can, it is far easier to design around the problem and eliminate the need. One example method is to use ferrules:

Although ferrules are better on stranded wire, they still work with solid core wire to make electrical contact. Ferrules are also way cheaper (they cost a penny or so) and less time-consuming than special flux and soldering.

And then you can solder the crimped ferrule onto the PCB, and 'do something' with the wire for strain relief (could be as cheap as drilling an extra hole in the PCB to pass the wire through. Or use screw terminal blocks, with or without ferrules.

Ferrule and crimper info here.
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