Solder Dross Recycling

The wave soldering process can produce a significant amount of solder dross, which is formed as molten metals that are exposed to oxygen. Dross is mainly composed of an oxide and solid metal. The oxide contains metal, which can be recovered and recycled. If you use wave soldering for PCB assembly, chances are, you have encountered that chunky metal layer that accumulates on the molten solder’s smooth surface. While dross contains impurities, the oxidized metals are still considered valuable, since it is composed of at least 90% metal.

Both lead-free and tin/lead-based processing can result in substantial amounts of solder dross. This solder dross can be recycled to be segregated by alloy. Some of the leading providers of dross recycling services can supply complimentary buckets and pay for the shipment of orders that meet the specified weight limits. Recycling programs can convert the dross into reusable bar solder. Often times, the purity of recycled or reclaimed metal is purer than virgin metal.

Solder dross is not the only type of solder that can be remanufactured or recycled. Recycling services can also reduce the amount of capital that is often necessary when switching alloys such as in wave soldering process. Any unused wire and bar solder can be recycled, too, as long as they are still within their shelf life.

Some of the industries that solder dross recycling can cater to include automotive, mobile and handheld device manufacturing, power supply, medical and military equipment production, semiconductor packaging, photovoltaic, and LED. Recycling services make sense for a safe and efficient way to process used solder and to enable those industries to meet legislative and environmental requirements. Recycling services can help maximize your company’s return on scrap, solder paste, and solder dross waste.

About the Author:

Alpha Assembly Solutions Inc. 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.