SELECTING THE PROPER SOLDERING TIP SHAPE

Two main considerations should be made in choosing a proper tip shape. Namely, access to the solder joint and maximum wetted contact of the tip point with the joint member to be soldered.

There are a number of standard point configurations available for most soldering stations. The standard soldering tip shapes are chisel; semi-chisel; bevel; cone; and bevel cone.

Clearly, increasing the wetted contact surface increases the heat transfer to the solder joint members, therefore, reducing total time necessary to make a quality solder joint.

Some basic rules for tip selection:

1. Select the tip shape which offers the maximum contact between the tip and the metals to be joined.

2. Select the shortest tip which will provide satisfactory access.

3. Maintain the largest cross-sectional area (diameter) of the tip shape (minimize the use of tapered and turned down tips).

In summary, select the tip with the largest point face, shortest length and largest diameter, allowing comfortable access to the work.