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Selection Guide
Fix the process and substrate first, then the solder and flux, then the cleaning method. When in doubt call 15328226001.
1. Choosing a flux
| Case | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hand / wave soldering, cost first | F114 series, F005 | Runs on low-cost S502 / S602 solder |
| No-clean, clean board face | F116 / F116R / F116T, F118 series | Low-residue resin; F116R halogen-free |
| Heavily oxidised terminations | F101 series, F107 series | High-activity water-soluble; residue rinses off |
| Stainless pins and connectors | F107 / F107A / F107T / F107R | F107T tolerates direct flame soldering |
| Aluminium to copper / steel / stainless | F105 / F105A (with S554 / S557) | Wide-spectrum high-activity Al flux |
| PCB pre-coating | F117 / F117B / F119 | F119 low-solids for dense and multilayer boards |
| HASL | F104A / B / C, F102 | High activity, easy-clean residue |
2. Choosing solder
| Case | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lead-free wave / tinning, cost first | S157 (SnCu0.7) | With F118E / F118P close to leaded Sn63 |
| Lead-free hand soldering, fine pitch | S154 / S156, S25x / S35x / S45x, ultrafine φ0.1-0.6 | SnCu / SnAg / SnAgCu / SnAgCuSb |
| Leaded tinning | S105(kk) / S103(k) / S101 | Anti-oxidation grades, very low fume |
| Leaded hand soldering | S202 / S204(nc) / S206(w); S302-S902 | Solid or resin core (RMA / no-clean / water-soluble) |
| Heat-sensitive parts, rework | SnBi58 wire, P3 SnBi58 paste | Low melting point |
3. Choosing a stripper
| Case | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary films, immersion OK, poor ventilation | CC-1 (CC-1B for plastics) | Ambient immersion, undemanding |
| Epoxy / powder coat / e-coat, fast | CC-2 / CC-2B | Fast immersion, strips PCB mask before cure |
| Large parts, brush only | CC-3A / B / E | Thixotropic, no runs |
| Magnet wire local stripping | CC-4B / CC-4T / CC-4A | 0.5-2 min film removal, works above 0C |
| High-temperature enamel, aluminium core | CC-4P / CC-4PT powder | No wire-type restriction, improves solderability |
| Misprinted marks on plastic | CC-2X | Safe on ABS / PS |
4. Cleaning & plating auxiliaries
Use W118 for precision PCBA and conformal-coat pre-clean, W-18T for budget stations; pair water-soluble flux residue with the aqueous wash additive in spray or ultrasonic lines; use mesh wash for screens and 783 retarder when ink dries too fast. Plate with TCR-21 on lead anodes containing 10-12% tin or antimony.