Different Methods of Soldering (Soft & Hard, 2023)

In electronics soldering is a fundamental skill that allows joining two metals together with a filler called solder to create functional circuits. People who enjoy working with electronics are curious to find out more information about the soldering procedure.

Two factors determine the different forms of soldering: the first is the required temperature, and the second is the joint’s strength. There are several methods of soldering in electronics to get optimal results. The methods of soldering iron required for electronics are soft soldering, hard soldering and brazing.

In this article, we will talk about different methods of soldering for electronics allows with their advantages.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

What is soldering and its application

Soldering is a process used to join two metal components together with the help of a solder. The soldering procedure involves heating of solder to its melting point and applying it to the joints to create a strong bond between components.

Solder is a mixture of metals, tin and lead are frequently used compositions for solder. Lead-free solder which contains alloys such as tin, silver, nickel, zinc and copper is widely used due to leaded solder environmental concerns. The choice of solder depends upon the application requirements.

The soldering iron and soldering gun are used for soldering. It contains a metal tip that is heated to a specific temperature.

The heat is transferred when the soldering iron’s tip makes contact with the solder and the junction, causing the solder to melt and flow. When the solder solidifies, it forms a solid, conductive link after filling the gap between the components.

Application

Soldering is extensively used in the making of electronics and circuit boards. It allows the creation of strong and reliable connections between different components.
It can also be used in repairing and maintaining electrical systems and devices. It enables us to remove damaged components, repair the broken connection, and restore electrical connectivity.
For connecting wires, connectors and printed circuit board (PCB) soldering are essential for connecting wires.
Plumbing applications require soldering to function properly. It is used to connect copper pipes and fittings in a way that prevents leaks.
In making jewellery soldering can play a crucial role. It joins two or more metals in the shape you want to make rings and chains.
It has a vast number of applications in DIY projects.
In the education sector, Students learn soldering techniques as part of electronics and engineering courses, enabling hands-on experience and understanding of electrical connections and circuitry.

There are lots of soldering applications, the applications we mention are just the start of usage of soldering. Soldering provides a versatile and effective method for joining metals, contributing to the construction, repair, and creativity across various fields.

Different Methods of Soldering

Let’s discuss the different methods of soldering required for electronics.

1. Soft soldering

Soft soldering is a method used to join components using alloy also known as solder which has a low melting point. The soldering iron used in the soft alloy is leaded solder as its melting point is low.

When soft soldering, the metal components that need to be joined are heated before the solder is applied; the solder then melts and flows into the junction. Soft soldering only requires a little amount of heat, usually less than 400°C.

Soft soldering can be used to combine substances that cannot resist high temperatures or fragile components that could be harmed by too much heat.

Advantages

Soft soldering means it works with solder which has a low melting point, which makes it suitable for many applications such as working with electronic components and sensitive parts that can bare high temperatures.
It is effectively easy to learn and does not require a high level of expertise.
In soft soldering tin and lead composite solder is used which is reliable for electrical connections, such as soldering wires or components on printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Disadvantages

Joints made by using soft soldering are not strong as another type of soldering.
It can not withstand high temperatures. Soft soldering is therefore not advised for applications where heat resistance is important.
It has a limited range of applications. For example, it is ineffective for joining stainless steel or other non-ferrous metals.

Soft soldering is known for its ease of use, versatility, and suitability for a wide range of applications and a beginner can easily learn it.

2. Hard soldering

Hard soldering is also known as silver soldering. It joins two or more metals together permanently using a solder which has a high melting point than soft solder.

Hard soldering is used to join silver, gold, and copper. The solder used for hard soldering is typically composed of copper, zinc, and silver. The term “hard” in hard soldering refers to the higher temperature and stronger bond achieved in this process compared to soft soldering.

Hard soldering is commonly used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, plumbing, jewellery making, and metal fabrication.

Advantages

It provides high strength and durability. The solder used in hard soldering provides strong connections.
Hard soldering can withstand high temperatures, so it is suitable for soldering components that require high temperature.
It is versatile and can join a wide range of metals, including copper, brass, steel, stainless steel, and some types of nickel alloys.

Disadvantages

Hard soldering means working with high temperatures so this makes it challenging to work with heat-resistance components.
It requires a high level of skill and expertise as compared to soft soldering.

Sub-processes of hard soldering

There are two sub-process of hard soldering. Let’s talk about these two processes.

1. Silver soldering

Silver soldering two metal components by using a filler that has silver as its primary constituent. Silver is frequently combined with other metals like copper, zinc, or nickel in silver solder. The choice of solder in particular depends upon specific applications.

To perform silver soldering, the metal components are cleaned and flux is applied to prevent oxidation during the heating process. The components are then heated using a torch or a furnace until the solder reaches its melting point and flows into the joint.

It is a commonly used method in various industries, including jewellery making, plumbing, electronics, and metalworking.

2. Braze soldering

Braze soldering is a similar process of soldering, but it uses different filler material. To create a strong bond it uses brass as a solder.

Brazing offers several advantages over other joining methods. It allows for the joining of dissimilar metals, including combinations such as copper and steel or stainless steel and brass.

It is important to note that braze soldering works with high temperatures, so this will need special attention and skills.

Conclusion

Soldering is an essential skill in electronics, and it has different methods that are required for electronics.

There are two methods of soldering which are soft soldering and hard soldering. Soft soldering means working with low temperatures or the use of solder which has a low melting point. It is suitable for working with sensitive components.

On the other hand high melting point, solder is used in hard soldering, and it is reliable for projects where high temperature is needed.

Based on solder hard soldering has sub-processes called silver soldering and braze soldering.

This was all about methods of soldering that are needed for electronics according to their applications.