Advantages and Disadvantages of Adding Nitrogen in SMT Reflow Ovens
2024.11.6
Articles
GOTREND Technology Co., Ltd.
In GOTREND's product manufacturing process, reflow soldering is a common reliability verification tool used to validate the quality and stability of solder joints. By precisely controlling parameters such as temperature and time, we ensure the optimal reliability of inductor component soldering, making it a crucial method for verifying the quality of soldered parts.
Reflow soldering serves not only as a reliability verification method during the production of inductor components but also as a fixed manufacturing inspection process for some inductor products to ensure and test the quality standards of the products. There are two main types of reflow soldering: standard reflow soldering and nitrogen reflow soldering. Here, we will focus on their differences, advantages, and disadvantages.
What is Nitrogen ?
Nitrogen (N2) is classified as an inert gas in modern chemistry. Additionally, elements in Group 18 of the periodic table, known as noble gases, include helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn). Inert gases include both nitrogen and noble gases.
I.Standard SMT Reflow Soldering
Advantages :
1. Temperature and time are easy to control, resulting in stable soldering effects.
2. Enables automated production, improving manufacturing efficiency.
3. Smooth gas flow during the soldering process promotes even heat distribution.
Disadvantages :
1. High temperatures during soldering can cause deformation or cracking of components and PCBs.
2. Some components that are not heat-resistant may fail or be damaged.
3. For high-precision soldering, issues like cold solder joints or false soldering may occur.
In the manufacturing process of inductor components, standard SMT reflow soldering effectively completes reliability verification tasks, ensuring soldering quality and stability. However, for inductor components with high-temperature plating or oxidation-prone surfaces, standard SMT reflow soldering might damage the plating and soldering surfaces, leading to soldering anomalies when the customer performs soldering.
II.SMT Nitrogen Reflow Soldering
Advantages :
1. Nitrogen is an inert gas that acts as a protective agent, reducing the thermal impact zone during soldering and minimizing soldering defects.
2. It helps maintain a stable temperature, enhancing the quality and consistency of the soldering process.
3. For soldering applications that require high precision, nitrogen reflow soldering provides better results.
4. Nitrogen reflow soldering has low thermal conductivity, which reduces heat loss and improves thermal efficiency.
5. It effectively protects metal materials, preventing oxidation when plating or other metals are exposed to the air.
Disadvantages :
1. Nitrogen, being a diatomic gas, has low sound conductivity, which can lead to higher noise levels during the soldering process, requiring adequate noise control.
2. Nitrogen reflow soldering requires specialized nitrogen supply systems and equipment, increasing manufacturing costs.
In the manufacturing process of inductive components, SMT nitrogen reflow soldering offers enhanced protection and ensures the quality of soldered parts. Plated terminals, which are typically made of metal materials like copper, nickel, or gold, are among the components that require soldering.
During the soldering process, if these plated terminals are exposed to air, they may oxidize, resulting in poor solder quality or decreased electrical performance. Using nitrogen reflow soldering effectively addresses this issue. Nitrogen, being an inert gas, prevents oxygen from entering the soldering area, thereby protecting the plated terminals from oxidation. Additionally, nitrogen helps control soldering temperature and time, ensuring consistent and high-quality solder joints.
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