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Can expired lead-free solder paste still be used?
source: JJY Release Date: 2022-11-11

It is well known that solder paste is a kind of paste with corresponding viscosity at room temperature, which can make the electronic components that need to be produced and processed adhere to the designated places. Then, when heated at the corresponding temperature, various solutions and some additives in them are heated and volatilized, promoting the electronic components to be soldered together with the printed circuit board of the soldering layer, and thus forming a long-term connection. The following solder paste manufacturer will explain it to you:

Lead-free solder paste

After the production and processing of lead-free solder paste is revealed, the manufacturing enterprises will attach labels to the lead-free solder paste, indicating the production batch number and expiration date. So, what major changes will it bring if it expires? How will it affect the product quality? And can it still be used?

First of all, one should get familiar with the active ingredients of lead-free solder paste. Only in this way is it possible to have a better understanding of why lead-free solder paste expires. Solder paste is usually made by mixing tin powder and flux paste, and this2The quality, safety and reliability of the raw materials depend on the validity period of the solder paste. The conventional lead-free solder paste can be matched according to the product quality of the flux3Moon6There are multiple validity periods such as months and one year. Beyond these periods, lead-free solder paste will expire.

Immediately after that, we can come to understand the significant changes that will occur after lead-free solder paste expires. As the quality, safety and reliability of the flux gradually diminish, lead-free solder paste may dry out, losing some of its viscosity and getting oxidized.

Then, is there still a chance to use lead-free solder paste that has expired?

If the lead-free solder paste only becomes dry, it can still be selected. The drying of lead-free solder paste can be carried out according to the corresponding proportion and after mixing the new lead-free solder paste mixture. A small amount of flux can also be added. This is because the flux contains surfactants, which can fully demonstrate the soldering process effect of the lead-free solder paste.

If the lead-free solder paste has been significantly oxidized, it is not recommended to use it. The lead-free solder paste that has been oxidized is because the flux and some of its solutions have lost their functions. During the soldering process, it is very easy to produce "solder beads". The appearance of "solder beads" not only affects the board-level shape of the product, but more seriously, the main reason ispcbThe electrical components on the circuit board are concentrated. During the product operation process, it is very likely to cause short-circuit faults and other problems, thereby effectively reducing the severity of product quality.

Therefore, using lead-free solder paste that has passed its expiration date can cause significant damage. Do not use expired lead-free solder paste just to save some money on it, as this can seriously affect the product quality of electronic devices and result in huge losses for the company. Do not suffer a major loss.

When we remember the effective ways to use and store lead-free solder paste within its validity period, we should always adhere to the principle of "first in, first out" to prevent lead-free solder paste from deteriorating prematurely.

If you are about to expireLead-free solder pasteWe can contact a lead-free solder paste recycling company for recycling and processing, effectively reducing losses, saving company costs, and contributing to environmental protection, achieving multiple benefits at once.

edit: JJY

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