"Our new flux concentrates are particularly interesting for customers who purchase large quantities or manufacture abroad," explains Markus Geßner, Head of Marketing and Sales at Emil Otto GmbH. This is because all Emil Otto granulates can be transported without hazardous substance identification and in greatly reduced volumes. "A flux becomes a hazardous substance if it contains alcohol, among other things. Our granulates are free of this. The customer adds the alcohol or the alcohol-water mixture on site," continues Geßner. Furthermore, the granules can be packaged more easily and in smaller volumes, which also reduces transportation costs. The concentrates include fluxes for wave and selective soldering as well as hand and dip soldering.
Thanks to the transport optimizations, the flux concentrates can be transported over long distances in a very economically attractive way, as freight forwarders charge much lower costs for non-hazardous goods. "Mixing the flux on site is very simple. Each granulate comes with the necessary information on which liquid needs to be added to the concentrate and in what dosage. The granulate quantities are sufficient for 10 or 20 liters," continues Geßner.
Not all fluxes from Emil Otto are available as concentrates. This is partly due to the components of the individual fluxes. The alcohol-based multifluxes EO-B-001, EO-B-002 and EO-B-007 are available in the variants A, B and C as granules. The A variant has a solids content of 1.8 to 2.2%, depending on the flux. This variant is mainly intended for use in full nitrogen systems. As the nitrogen prevents the reoxidation of the base material and solder, less flux is required. The flux residues are very low.
Variant B contains the standard concentration of 3% solids content. It can be used in many areas with frequently changing soldering process requirements. Variant B can be used safely in a wide range of wave, selective and repair soldering and dip tinning applications. The flux residues are low and have very good cleaning properties. The C variant has a solids content of approx. 4% and is intended for special requirements. The application must be specifically clarified with the customer. Multiflux EO-B-006, which does not contain any resins, is also available as a concentrate. All available granulate quantities of the Multiflux series result in a flux quantity of 20 l after mixing with alcohol.
In addition to the mulifluxes, a hybrid flux is also available as a concentrate granulate. EO-Y-004 is also available as a concentrate and has a solids content of 3.5%. It was developed for use in wave and selective soldering and has a very wide range of applications. The soldering properties are very good, especially in terms of penetration and wetting of the circuit board. The process window is very wide, with high thermal stability. It is therefore the first flux from Emil Otto that is more than 90% water-based and can be supplied as a concentrate. After mixing, the customer receives a flux quantity of 10l.
Emil Otto GmbH will be presenting its flux concentrates to the international trade public for the first time this year at productronica in Hall A4, Stand 420.