Know more about the effective Ways to Decrease Carbon Footprint in Cored Solder Wire

Carbon footprint is usually defined as the amount of carbon dioxide equivalents any process, organization, or industry ejects into the atmosphere. Basically, it is a measure of pollution caused to the environment by any process that takes place. Carbon footprint is a concept which has enabled measurement of pollution caused by various industries, quantify it in terms of carbon dioxide, and penalize the excessive producers for contributing more pollution to the environment. This article focuses on the ways with which you can decrease the carbon footprint of cored solder wires.

The electronics industry has become one of the major manufacturing sectors that also generates a massive carbon footprint. Inspecting the entire value chain carefully will reveal how each step contributes to the environmental burdens of the planet. Soldering is one of the most important and most basic processes used in the manufacture of circuits and electronic components. Achieving some form of control on the carbon footprint generated from this process is therefore, of paramount importance.

Solder Selection

Soldering sometimes require the usage of cored solder wire, which is basically metal. The most commonly used metals are tin and copper. The selection of solder metals influences the carbon footprint of a soldering project. While the process of soldering takes place, the surfaces are heated, and through the application of heat, solder is melted and surfaces are joined. Some metals release carbon dioxide upon fusing. This carbon dioxide is counted towards the carbon footprint of that process. Thus, if looking to reduce the carbon footprint of a soldering process, consider selecting an alloy which does not give off excess amounts of this gas.

Dross Recycling

Dross is another reason why the pollution index of soldering is high. After soldering has taken place, there remains excessive quantity of solder metal sticking to the components, which is then removed during the finishing process. This dross is then thrown away as a waste, which gets counted as pollution after its conversion in carbon equivalents. This increases the carbon footprint of the manufacturer. The best way to reduce the footprint in this aspect is to employ a dross recycling machine in the manufacturing facility. This machine helps recover almost 75% of the dross which otherwise goes out as waste. This, in turn, has dual benefits. One, it reduces the process’ carbon footprint. Two, it saves costs of solder procurement, because recycled dross can be used again in the process. It also helps reduce the requirement of mining the metal again.

Process Wastage

The quality check process in manufacturing facilities often generates many printed circuit boards which fail to meet requisite standards. This causes them to be scrapped and trashed. This counts as electronic waste and contributes to the carbon footprint. In order to reduce this, automation of the production process can be considered in order to achieve precision and efficiency in manufacturing, thereby reducing wastage.

Help conserve the planet through reducing the footprint of your industry.

About The Author:

Alpha Assembly Solutions is a premier company engaged in the development and manufacture of high quality electronics assembly materials. Since the year of its inception, way back in 1872, the company has played its role on the frontline of innovation, bringing many first-to-market products to the fore thereby, creating a premier niche for itself in the market.

Alpha Assembly Solutions Inc. is the global leader in the development, manufacturing and sales of innovative specialty materials used in a wide range of industry segments, including electronics assembly, power electronics, die attach, LED lighting.