| Before proceeding with nitrogen-reflow soldering, you probably ask yourself: "How will the nitrogen affect my process, and to what extent? Will the benefits exceed my costs?"
Our answer is: "let us carry out an evaluation." We can estimate your annual savings by running your own figures through our Ecoref calculation program. There is, however, no substitute for real in-process testing.
As many of our customers can witness, they have been positively surprised after having decided to go for nitrogen-reflow soldering. They have found that it widens process limitations and boosts throughput.
The use of a nitrogen atmosphere often incorporate the following benefits:
- improved wetting
- increased solvent evaporation
- less solder-paste residues
- less oxidation
- shinier soldering joints and reduced board discoloration
- protection of OSP-treated PCBs
- due to low oxygen levels preheating support of VOC-free fluxes
- preservation of soldering conditions for second or multiple soldering steps
- flexibility in solder-paste formulation and condition
- increased process window
- improved yield and quality
- improved stand-off
- reduced solder balls
- less voiding
- support for lead-free alternative soldering alloys
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