Solder wicking

Where can we find thick copper braids Well, I tend to use regular solder wick lying around the lab. I am fairly convinced by now that if I partially soak some solder into it, it works great as a high-frequency shunt. I won t be caught ordering Litz wire just yet. 

If too much solder wicks up the lead, it may cause solder shorting, particularly near the package body, where the lead spacing may be finest. Therefore, fillet examination alone is not sufficient to accurately assess soldering process performance. But, for a fixed set of process parameters, fillet appearance may provide a good means of first-pass comparative assessment of solderabihty and soldering results. 

Since the solder is a molten, turbulent liquid, theoretically it can make intimate contact with the underside of the circuit board. Therefore, thermal uniformity is generally not difficult to control as long as the wave contact area along the width of the PWB s underside is uniform. Since the solder is in contact with the underside of the PWB and since the underside of the PWB is coated with flux, the molten solder has the opportunity to wet to PWB lands and component leads. As the process progresses, the solder wicks between the pin and barrel. After leaving the wave, the board cools rapidly, liquid solder sohdifies, and solder joints result. 

FIG. 17 Solder wicking into PTHs from underneath the solder mask. 

---