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Thread: Who knows about Alpha Aqualine 6000 solder?

  1. 09-18-2011, 11:11 AM #1
    W1GUH
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    Who knows about Alpha Aqualine 6000 solder?

    Bought a spool at a hamfest. The spec from Alpha is here.


    Looks like really good stuff. But there's a peculiarity. It's flux is "Organic acid, water-soluble (WSF-0)".

    Whoa!!!! Acid flux? WTF?

    But this stuff looks really good and the spec sez: "ALPHA Aqualine 6000 is recommended for use in any electronic hand soldering application...".

    Little cognitive dissonance here. Acid Flux? Electronics? For 50 years I've been reading "NEVER USE ACID CORE SOLDER FOR ELECTRONICS". Guess "Organic acid, water-soluble" doesn't really mean acid core? :chin:

    I'm in the process of re-capping my DC-4 (pix to follow)...gonna use it, how can I not trust Alpha's spec?

    Besides, it's QPL Approved, whatever the F that means!
    Last edited by W1GUH; 09-18-2011 at 11:12 AM.
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  2. 09-18-2011, 11:23 AM #2
    NQ6U
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    From that link you provided:

    ALPHA Aqualine 6000 is a QPL-approved (Type WSF-0 polyglycol-free flux), halide-free, water soluble flux cored solder. Its post soldering residues are extremely water soluble and can be easily cleaned with hot water. Due to the exceptional wetting and cleaning characteristics of ALPHA Aqualine 6000, it is recommended for use in a broad range of applications, including both commercial and military.
    Emphasis mine.
    All the world’s a stage, but obviously the play is unrehearsed and everybody is ad-libbing his lines. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to tell if we’re living in a tragedy or a farce.
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  3. 09-18-2011, 11:29 AM #3
    WØTKX
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    Flux has to be (mildly) corrosive, or it would not work well.
    "Where would we be without the agitators of the world to attach the electrodes
    of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance?" ~ Professor "Dick" Soloman


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  4. 09-18-2011, 11:43 AM #4
    W1GUH
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    OK...

    I think, in your own inimitable ways, that you're saying it's fine...go ahead? I can be anally literal at times. Guess, tho', the most literal thing here is the spec that sez it's recommended for electronics.

    Thanks, appreciate the replies.


    Don't want to flux-up the job!

    Something I've got the capacity for.
    Last edited by W1GUH; 09-18-2011 at 11:48 AM.
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  5. 09-18-2011, 12:20 PM #5
    NQ6U
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    Quote Originally Posted by W1GUH View Post
    OK...Don't want to flux-up the job!

    Something I've got the capacity for.
    Resist the urge to be lead into temptation.
    All the world’s a stage, but obviously the play is unrehearsed and everybody is ad-libbing his lines. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to tell if we’re living in a tragedy or a farce.
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  6. 09-18-2011, 12:33 PM #6
    KJ3N
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    Quote Originally Posted by W1GUH View Post
    Don't want to flux-up the job!

    Something I've got the capacity for.
    I wonder if it's safe for 1.2 Jigga-Watt applications...
    "People Who Don't Want Their Beliefs Laughed at Shouldn't Have Such Funny Beliefs" -AD5MB

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  7. 09-18-2011, 12:43 PM #7
    W1GUH
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    Wish I had the bread for that kind of application. I'd rule the bands!
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  8. 09-20-2011, 12:15 PM #8
    W1GUH
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    Got an answer. Found a website where Elecraft prohibits the use of "water soluble flux" in their kits so I emailed them about it. The answer they supplied is that that kind of solder needs special factory procedures to clean the flux off the electronics.

    Will be spending some time google-fu'ing that.

    Anybody wanna buy a slightly used spool of solder cheap?
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  9. 09-20-2011, 01:01 PM #9
    WØTKX
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    Naaa. I have enough old school lead solder to last me a looooong time.

    However, Google-Fu on that solder you have is OK with a hot water cleaning.
    "Where would we be without the agitators of the world to attach the electrodes
    of knowledge to the nipples of ignorance?" ~ Professor "Dick" Soloman


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  10. 11-21-2011, 10:07 AM #10
    kf4wxd
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    Well, this is my first post here on the Island. I'll put my mad troubleshooting skilz to work.

    Try a test piece on plain, mild steel. Just tinning an area would be enough. Tin another area and clean it with hot water. Tin a third area and clean it with citrus-based cleaner and a water rinse. Expose it to the elements for a couple of days, more if you are in an arid part of the globe and observe.

    My former company (a very large supplier of networking equipment) uses citrus cleaner after re-working very expensive circuit boards, those costing in excess of $100,000.

    Russ - kf4wxd
    Last edited by kf4wxd; 11-21-2011 at 10:08 AM. Reason: Spelling
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