P. F. Stratton, BOC, Huddersfield, United Kingdom; D. Gwyer, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom; L. Davydov, BOC, Murray Hill, NJ
Nitrogen inerting reduces dross and the savings can pay for the nitrogen. Through its process modelling skills, combined with data on drossing rate and cost, BOC were able to optimise the process parameters. The result was a halving of the drossing rate, while cutting nitrogen consumption by 15%.
Summary: The benefits of using nitrogen inerting to open up the process window and reduce overall costs in wave soldering are well known. Using process modelling combined with data on the drossing rate at given oxygen concentrations it is possible to optimise the process parameters without the need for extensive on-site trials.
