Q1: Why does my soldering iron tip turn black and fail to tin?
A: Residual solder dross from flux and impurities can carbonize at high temperatures if not cleaned promptly, causing the tip to blacken and lose solder wettability.
Solution: Operate at a controlled temperature, clean the tip frequently with a damp sponge, and re-tin the tip when idle. Lower the station temperature to below 350 °C during extended pauses.
Q2: What causes soldering iron tip perforation or severe oxidation?
A: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures allows flux, tin, and impurities to corrode the iron plating and underlying copper core, eventually creating pinhole-like perforations.
Solution: Use tips with a thickened iron plating layer for improved corrosion resistance. Replace the tip immediately if perforation occurs.
Q3: Why does solder spread along the tip or fail to flow properly?
A:
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Failure to flow is usually caused by insufficient tip temperature.
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Solder creep is commonly related to poor iron plating quality or low-quality solder wire.
Solution: Increase the soldering temperature or use a higher-power station for better heat recovery. If solder creep persists, check solder wire quality and replace the tip with one featuring high-quality iron plating.