New ChipQuik Solder Paste looks bad???

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DocJC
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Posted by DocJC: Wed. Jun 29, 2022 - 09:30 PM
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New ChipQuik Solder Paste looks bad???

 

I recently ordered two syringes of ChipQuik for a new PCB I want to assemble.

(The small PCB will only need a little bit of paste, two syringes is lots of extra...)

 

I ordered them from Mouser, (a respectable, big name, supplier), and the manufacturer date is 220311 for both tubes, (so presumably March of this year).

 

The ChipQuik # is SMDAL

Aluminum Solder Paster, Water Soluble,  SN96/Ag3.5   10cc/25g syringe

 

Both tubes look terrible!

It would appear that the flux separated out from the solder beads???

There is a puddle of yellowish stuff, separated from the gray solder.

 

Is that the flux, and if so, shouldn't it be mixed and distributed throughout the entire contents?

 

I'm contacting ChipQuik, but I thought that perhaps some Freaks have used their products before and could tell me if they have ever seen this in their supply.

 

Since the product is in a syringe it isn't like one can stir / mix the material.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

JC

 

 

 

 

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Learning and Information, General Electronics
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Bronze Markjs
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Posted by js: Wed. Jun 29, 2022 - 10:43 PM
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Just make sure you keep them AWAY from your other syringes...... cheeky

John Samperi

Ampertronics Pty. Ltd.

https://www.ampertronics.com.au

* Electronic Design * Custom Products * Contract Assembly

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balisong42
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Posted by balisong42: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 12:05 AM
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My guess is it got too warm during shipping and separated. Datasheet says temp above 25*C/77*F will shorten shelf-life.

 

I've had orders in the past from DigiKey that used ice-packs. Don't think I've ever order paste from Mouser.

 

I'm a cheap b@st@rd, so I'd try to stir it up and use anyways. I doubt they make you ship it back after refund.

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avrcandies
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Posted by avrcandies: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 01:09 AM
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Looks like shelf-sitting separated.  Maybe pull the plunger and stir it up with a few inches of coat hanger.

Wonder if you put it on a paint shaker,  like at Lowes, maybe that would do the trick (assuming you had access). 

Celebrate with Jello 1-2-3

 

 

When in the dark remember-the future looks brighter than ever.   I look forward to being able to predict the future!

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meslomp
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Posted by meslomp: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 06:16 AM
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That indeed looks like the flux separated from the Solder.

if you have a paint shaker you could try it on there to see if it will turn into an emulsion again.

Hope you get positive news from the manufaturer, although I would not be surprised if they would only point straight to Mouser and that you have to sort things with them :(

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barnacle
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Posted by barnacle: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 06:39 AM
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You've discovered 'magic cake' for solder :) https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/...

 

Given the high temperatures we've had in Europe for the last month, it's possibly simply been too hot in the delivery system.

 

Neil

Neil Barnes
www.nailed-barnacle.co.uk

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gchapman
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Posted by gchapman: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 12:57 PM (Reply to #6)
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State Highway 360 connects Mouser Electronics to DFW Airport; FedEx has a few (several?) runs per day ... North Texas summers are hot ... load masters and crews will seek shade under the aircraft ... a guess is a loaded trailer sat next to the aircraft for quite sometime instead of being parked in the hangar.

If instead FedEx Alliance Airport then a longer drive.

Or, the loaded aircraft sat outside the hangar for quite sometime due to a maintenance issue or lack of aircraft technicians.

IIRC, FedEx has more hangar space at Alliance than DFW.

 

Alliance Airport | Fort Worth, TX

 

"Dare to be naïve." - Buckminster Fuller

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grohote
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Posted by grohote: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 03:58 PM
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To mix, use an accu drill and 4 inches heavy steel wire.

Last Edited: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 03:59 PM
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DocJC
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Posted by DocJC: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 11:12 PM
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Good news!

 

I emailed ChipQuik's customer support, (with photos and the Mouser label info), and heard back the next morning.

 

Two (free) replacements are in the mail to me.

 

I didn't go through Mouser, although I could have done so.

 

It is unfortunate that there was a problem, but it is certainly nice to have it correctly so quickly and easily.

 

JC

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avrcandies
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Posted by avrcandies: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 11:20 PM
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Well, they do say  Quik'

 

Their GREAT support will be remembered by all!

When in the dark remember-the future looks brighter than ever.   I look forward to being able to predict the future!

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Bronze Markjs
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Posted by js: Thu. Jun 30, 2022 - 11:46 PM
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it is certainly nice to have it correctly so quickly and easily.

They better not mess around with the power of the Freaks. laugh

John Samperi

Ampertronics Pty. Ltd.

https://www.ampertronics.com.au

* Electronic Design * Custom Products * Contract Assembly

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meslomp
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Posted by meslomp: Fri. Jul 1, 2022 - 06:33 AM
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A good to read you get replacement syringes.

You might still give stirring a try, or perhaps just empty the entire syringe in a little cub, stir it yourself and use a normal syringe to suck it all up again. The paste might still be usable.

In NL we have little 30ml cups that you can put liquid medicine in I bet you also have them in the US. here you can just go to the pharmacist and get/buy a couple.

You could empty both the syringes and put them in 1 new syringe........ First have a try with that and if it does not work start using the new ones.

 

 

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grohote
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Posted by grohote: Fri. Jul 1, 2022 - 07:32 AM
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Given time, it evaporates fully, even closed.

What is inside, some ketone, perhaps acetone?

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valusoft
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Posted by valusoft: Fri. Jul 1, 2022 - 08:51 AM
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meslomp wrote:
In NL we have little 30ml cups that you can put liquid medicine in I bet you also have them in the US.
Hey Marcel, if Doctor Jay cannot find any there is something seriously amiss in the US hospital system. cheeky

Ross McKenzie, Melbourne Australia

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barnacle
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Posted by barnacle: Fri. Jul 1, 2022 - 01:04 PM
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Millilitres? In the US? Nah...cheeky

 

Neil

Neil Barnes
www.nailed-barnacle.co.uk

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DocJC
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Posted by DocJC: Fri. Jul 1, 2022 - 08:49 PM
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ChipQuik overnight FedEx'd me the replacement!  

Wow!

 

I am not making many boards these days, and the two, new, tubes, will be more solder paste than I can possibly use.

 

Hence, although it would be interesting to try to stir the old stuff, I will likely just use the new stuff for my boards!

 

Perhaps, however, I'll give it a try stirring the separated paste just to see if it works.

 

I appreciate the thoughts!

 

JC

 

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N.Winterbottom
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Posted by N.Winterbottom: Sat. Jul 2, 2022 - 11:19 AM
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barnacle wrote:
Millilitres? In the US? Nah...cheeky

Yeah - You get injected with fluid ounces there ! crying

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MarkThomas
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Posted by MarkThomas: Sat. Jul 2, 2022 - 05:26 PM
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One can restore dried out solder paste by stirring it up with some liquid flux.

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grohote
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Posted by grohote: Sat. Jul 2, 2022 - 05:41 PM
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Ethyl alcohol, or else.

 

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