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Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9502

Posted: 01:35pm 09 Sep 2014

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I have a SMD reflow station, but hardly ever used it, as I did not really do any SMD work. I inherrited the machine when I took over the business. This unit is fully functional, but I have no solder-paste.

Jaycar sell nice little 15g syringes of paste, so I have ordered a fresh one of those.

However, I want to ask those in the know here a couple of questions:

1) Solder-paste has a limited shelf-life, and needs to be kept in the fridge for best shelf-life - WHY do you need to keep it cold like that?

2) WHY does solder paste have a shelf-life at all? Standard solder - you can use as and when you like - it does not expire.

3) Just how critical is it that it be kept in the fridge? For example, would the time it spends in the courier van getting from the warehouse to my local Jaycar(where they pop it in the fridge), and then my transporting it home(where it is not in the fridge again) put the paste in any jeopardy?

Thanks for any replies.

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

TassyJim

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Joined: 07/08/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 6224

Posted: 02:07pm 09 Sep 2014

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Do you need a fridge at all in New Zealand?

Sorry, someone had to say it and coming from a Tasmanian was probably the best..

The time spent in transport will have a negligible effect on the life of the paste.

Just don't leave it on the sunny window sill.

Jim

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Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
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Posted: 02:29pm 09 Sep 2014

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TassyJim said Do you need a fridge at all in New Zealand?

Sorry, someone had to say it and coming from a Tasmanian was probably the best..

Not as much as you Aussie's do with your volcanic temperatures!!!!!

Thanks for letting me know about the transport thing.

Any idea why paste has a shelf-life?

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

Justplayin

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Joined: 31/01/2014
Location: United States
Posts: 327

Posted: 03:11pm 09 Sep 2014

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Quote Any idea why paste has a shelf-life?

I found this info doing a search...

Indium Corporation� Indium Corporation Blogs

circuitnet

Now I know not to order any until I really need it.

--Curtis

I am not a Mad Scientist... It makes me happy inventing new ways to take over the world!!

Grogster

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Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9502

Posted: 11:31am 10 Sep 2014

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Thanks for the links - that did clear some of those things up for me.

As you say - only buy this stuff if you have a rework station or reflow oven, and plenty of parts to make it worthwhile. I suppose at sixteen bucks a syringe, it is not too bad, even if you can't use it all.......

I just want to have a play with the SMD rework station!

Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!

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