Tinning is an effective and widely used way to connect two metal components together. Read all the steps to discover the two main types of tin plating, and to learn how to tin directly in your home.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: The Basics of Tin Plating
Step 1. What does it mean to stagnate?
In short, tinning means melting metal between two metal components in order to connect them together.
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Tinning is different from soldering. In welding, the components are fused together; in tin plating, on the other hand, a metal with a lower melting point is used to connect them.
Since tin plating does not melt components, it is useful for delicate applications such as those encountered in electronics and hydraulics
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The purpose of tin plating is to connect two components. Tin plating can be seen as a "metal bond". It can be used to fill in gaps or to hold components in place, but nothing more.
Since tin is a metal, it conducts electricity, which is another reason why it is used in electronics
Step 2. "Tin" is actually the name of the metal used to tin, even if in the past tin tin could contain lead or cadmium, now abandoned because they are harmful to health
- Tin is usually made up of multiple metals combined to form an alloy. Silver, antimony, copper, tin and zinc are some of the more common ingredients.
- Pond is soft and flexible. It is generally sold in spools, and can be easily stretched and folded.
- Tin has a low melting point (180-260 ° C), and cools quickly once melted.
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A tin wire may contain a natural resin or acid flux in the center. The metal in the tin wire surrounds the flux center.
The purpose of the center is to act as a purifying agent. The flux prevents oxidation of the tin while it is cooling, preserving its purity and strength
Step 3. Use a tin gun to heat the tin
Tin guns come in different shapes and sizes, but are essentially tools with heatable tips used to melt tin.
- Many tiners reach nearly 500 ° C, so be careful when using one.
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The tip of the tiners tends to become covered with tin after each use, which can cause it to oxidize or compromise its functionality next time. To clean it, get a wet sponge before turning it on, and gently rub the tip of the soldering iron on the sponge when it is hot.
A layer of fresh tin on the tip of the tin can, however, make the tin more efficient. This is called "tinning" and is done by melting some fresh tin on the tip of the tin before using it
- The best tinners have a temperature regulator that can be adjusted according to your needs and the type of pond you have.
Step 4. Use other tools to help you with tinning
Stagnating is neither dangerous nor difficult if you take precautions. To stagnate as efficiently and effectively as possible, there are other tools that might be useful for you.
- Alligator-style pliers or tweezers to hold components in place while sealing them.
- Thick gloves to protect your hands from the tip of the tinker.
- Safety goggles or mask to prevent any splashes from hitting you in the eye.
- A support for the soldering iron to support it between one application and another.
Step 5. Turn on the lights
Make sure you can see everything clearly, only in this way can you do an accurate job.
If you need to stagnate in a dimly lit place, take a lamp with you
Step 6. Make sure there is adequate ventilation
Even if the lead is gone, tin and flux can create irritating vapors. Avoid breathing them by opening a window, turning on a fan, or otherwise doing what you can to get fresh air.
Step 7. Don't stagnate for too long in a single session
Stagnating takes a short time, and generally it won't take you more than a few minutes to do everything you need to do, but if you see you're spending more than 15-20min stagnating, take breaks to get some fresh air.
Method 2 of 3: Soldering Electronic Components
Step 1. Choose the right tin gun
Many tin plating in electronics is done to bond components to the PCB (printed circuit board). For this reason, a small tip soldering iron is recommended. For normal work, consider using a flat tip, and a conical tip for soldering very small components.
- Tin guns do not have an interchangeable tip, so you will need to buy the type (s) that best suits your needs. Fortunately, prices start at around ten euros, and quality ones can be bought for just over double.
- A typical soldering iron suitable for electronics work will be an approximately 40 Watt soldering iron capable of reaching a temperature of nearly 500 degrees. This allows the soldering iron to melt the tin without damaging the connectors of the various components.
Step 2. Choose your pond
In stores and online you can find both pure tin wires and those with flux in the center. Make sure the tin you choose is capable of binding the materials you are trying to tin. Using a tin-only wire may require the use of a separate flux to break down the oxide layer and allow the tin to bind to the components.
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Tin 40/60 and lead tin used to be the standard for soldering in electronics, but have been abandoned due to lead toxicity. Tin with higher pure tin content or silver are preferred nowadays. Silver slightly increases the melting point up to 220 ° C, which also raises the price, but it helps tin bond better.
The numbers you will find in the description of the chosen tin indicate the percentages of elements in the tin alloy (60Sn / 40Pb = 60% tin and 40% lead)
Step 3. Prepare the soldering iron
Plug it in and let it warm up for a couple of minutes. Be sure to gently wipe the tip on a wet sponge if you have used it previously, as described above. Cover it with tin (again as described above) once it is clean. When ready, place your components, any tweezers, and prepare the tin.
Step 4. Put a component in place
Put a component where you want to weld it. If you are going to solder it to a PCB, make sure the component pins pass through the holes correctly.
For many components, use small tweezers to hold them in place after placing them
Step 5. Take the tin wire
Hold a piece of yarn with your non-dominant hand. The piece will need to be long enough not to get too close to the tip of the soldering iron.
Step 6. Heat the component
Place the tip of the soldering iron on the component you want to solder. Just touch it for a few moments, this will heat the metal and allow the tin to grip and not slip off.
- Quickly place the tin wire on the spot where you will be tinning, and heat it with the tip of the tin gun. The pond should melt immediately. Tinning components on a PCB should never take more than 3-4 seconds to melt the tin.
- If you need more tin, add it by bringing the wire closer.
- The tin should spread easily around the component pin, forming convex angles. It shouldn't curl up or look "propped up".
Step 7. Finish tinning
Remove the tin wire, then wait a second and at that point remove the tin plate as well in order to cool the tin just deposited. This shouldn't take more than 5-10 seconds.
Do not blow on the pond or anything else to help it cool down, you could add impurities to it
Step 8. Repeat until you are done
Repeat each step until you have tinned all the pins.
Tin the tip of the soldering iron after a few consecutive soldering, and do it again before putting it away. This will help extend the life of your stagnator
Method 3 of 3: Tin Plumbing
Step 1. Tinning Copper tubing is not difficult, but it is very different from tinning electronic components, and requires different equipment
Usually people who engage in this type of tin plating do it to seal the joints between two different sections of pipe, such as, for example, for an elbow bend.
Step 2. Use a flashlight
Instead of a tin gun, a propane torch is recommended for tinning copper pipes together. You will find many in any hardware store.
There are special tiners for plumbing, but propane torches are just as efficient for most jobs, and cost a lot less
Step 3. Get the right pond
Manufacturers often offer special tin wires for tinning plumbing. They tend to be thicker, usually around 3mm in diameter. Tin plumbing often contains an acid as a flux, but wires made from tin alone are just as effective, although they often require a separate flux.
Avoid using leaded tin to tin your plumbing at all costs. Be sure to read the label carefully to determine the composition of your tin. Pipe ponds contain mostly tin and small percentages of antimony, copper and / or silver
Step 4. Have something abrasive handy
To make sure your tin is gripping, it is helpful to clean the pipe by wiping it with sandpaper, an abrasive cloth, or a steel mote.
Step 5. Turn off the water
Turn off the main water tap before starting work. This will allow you to work without the fear of flooding everything.
Before you turn off the water, fill a bucket of water and keep it close to you while you work in case the flashlight sets something on fire
Step 6. Cut the tube
If you are installing new pipes, use a pipe cutter to cut each pipe up to 2cm in diameter. You can find pipe cutters in hardware stores.
- Go slow. A pipe cutter works best with a slow, firm motion. If you go too hard you could dent the pipe.
- For wider pipes you will need to use a hacksaw. Smooth the ends of the pipe after cutting it.
- After cutting the pipes, insert them into the joint that you will need to tin.
Step 7. Clean the tube
Using an abrasive sponge or similar, thoroughly scrape the area of the tube where you will be tinning to make it smooth and clean.
A smooth, clean surface will allow the pond to flow into the joint to best seal it
Step 8. Seal the pipes
Turn on your propane torch and heat the tube you are about to stagnate.
- Heat evenly by continuously moving the flame over the entire work area.
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Once the pipe is warm, place your tin wire on the joint you want to seal. It should merge instantly.
Hold the tin on the opposite side of the tube from the torch. It should flow around the joint and fill it completely
- Let the joint cool. It will cool down quickly. In the meantime, move on to the next junction if it needs to be tinned.
Step 9. Check your work
When you're done, wait a couple of minutes and turn on the main water tap. Run the water along the pipes you just stagnated, and check for leaks. If there are any, you will need to repeat the process.
Warnings
- Do not touch the metal part between the tip of the soldering iron and the handle, it is hot enough to burn you.
- Always put the soldering iron back on its support between one tinning and the next.
- Always waterproof in a well-ventilated area.
