A Brief Comparison of Cored and Coreless Solder Wire

Processes used for soldering components using coreless and cored solder wires are quite different from each other and they both present their own set of distinct pros and cons for a manufacturer to consider. The difference in usage processes and derived solder joint quality usually stem from the varying properties exhibited by solid wires and cored solder wire. In case you are facing the dilemma of choosing one of these two options, this article will provide you with a brief comparison between cored solder wires and coreless wires so that you can make an informed choice about which alternative will turn out to be the best for your needs. Here goes:

Understanding both options

Any comparison between solid and cored solder wires cannot begin without an at-a-glance definition of both these options. Solid solder wires, as the name suggests, are made up of solid metal that is melted and applied to the surfaces being joined together to create a metallurgical connection between the two. Cored solder wire, on the other hand, is hollow and has a core filled with solder flux that acts as an additional cleaning agent, removing all impurities and oxides from the surfaces being soldered automatically, thereby creating a much stronger and more reliable joint between components.

Choosing one of the two

Selection between solid and cored solder wires depends upon each of their specific properties. Most manufacturers tend to compare both options of the parameters listed below to arrive at the most suitable option for their requirements:

• If appearance of the solder joint is your main criteria for selection, solid wires will turn out to be the more preferable option for you. In the absence of solder flux in the coreless metal wire, the heating process creates a shiny and neat joint that is devoid of splatters and slight disfigurations that are part and parcel with cored solder wires.

• The process timelines expected from the operations are an important factor to consider. In case your idea is to eliminate the additional flux application step from your PCB manufacturing process while preserving quality of the solder bond, flux cored solder wires will be the ideal choice for you. With solid wires, on the other hand, an additional process step is needed for surface cleaning and flux application which might significantly extend operational timelines and require extra hardware and machines for completing this part of the process.

• The kind of strength and durability being expected from the solder joint is also a guiding factor in this selection. Flux cored solder wires, by their very nature, tend to help create stronger, more reliable and resilient solder bonds as compared to applications where flux isn’t applied and circuit surfaces aren’t made free of impurities and oxides. Solid wires create reasonably reliable solder joints but they tend to lag behind their flux cored counterparts on quality parameters.

Which is the better one?

There isn’t necessary a superior and more preferable choice between solid and cored solder wires. Your selection should largely be guided on the basis of the properties you are expecting from the solder joints you wish to create and the cost effectiveness and hassle free execution of processes needed to create the same.

Hope this comparative analysis of solid and cored solder wires helps you in making the right selection for your operations.

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.