Is soldering flux with zinc chloride harmful for the soldering joints?

[robsims]

Hi, i have a pot of soldering flux. The description says that it is acid free, but it contains zinc chloride. I attached the PDF with the specs. The residue can be washed off with water. Can i use it for soldering electronics? If not what are the specs of a good soldering flux for electronics. Many thanks

[bidrohini]

As far as I know, zinc chloride is acidic in nature and not recommended for electronics.

[Stray Electron]

  It works but it does lead to corrosion of steel. I've used it just to experiment but I wouldn't recommend it.  You can't wash it all out, trust me!

   Table salt is "acid free" too but I'm sure you already know how corrosive it is.

[jonpaul]

use only rosin flux designated for electronics

j

[wraper]

Not suitable for electronics. It's very conductive and corrosive. Also chlorine ions will embed into PCB and you won't be able to wash them out.

[tooki]

use only rosin flux designated for electronics

Incorrect.

Here’s a better statement: “use only flux designated for electronics”. Not all electronics fluxes are rosin-based. Many no-clean fluxes are use synthetic resin instead of rosin, or contain no resin or rosin at all!

The only electronics flux to avoid for hobbyist/nonexpert use is water-soluble flux.

[jonpaul]

correction, sorry...

 we have used only rosin based flux in cored solder, eg Kester 44.

Solder pot and liquid flux, can be water based or not rosin.

For electronics soldering or rework,  all flux must be specifically designed for electronics use, not metalworking or plumbing!

Jon

[Benta]

Zink chloride is for plumbing and roofing, NOT for electronics.

[tooki]

we have used only rosin based flux in cored solder, eg Kester 44.

Solder pot and liquid flux, can be water based or not rosin.

So can flux core in solder wire. It’s not all rosin, far from it.