Unfluxed Desoldering Braid

For customers who use water-soluble flux, or their own flux for aqueous processes.

Desoldering braid or desoldering wick is a pre-fluxed copper braid that is used to remove solder, which allows components to be replaced and excess solder (e.g. bridging) to be removed. The soldering iron is applied to the wick as it sits on the solder joint, and when both are brought up to the solder's melting point, the flux is activated and, through capillary action from the braided design, solder is drawn up the wick. Techspray wick has been a mainstay at PCB rework, repair and prototyping stations for over 30-years.
 
Specifications: Meets or Exceeds MIL-F-14256; NASA NHB 5300, 4 (34-1); NASA NPC 200-4; NASA SP5002; 1821:HP 8690-0588; 1823: HP 8690-0577; IPC Standard-J-STD-004
 
Size chart:
Braid #    Color Code    Width (in)    Width (mm)    
#1 White 0.035 0.9
#2 Yellow 0.055 1.4
#3 Green 0.075 1.9
#4 Blue 0.098 2.5
 

Features & Benefits

  • Apply your own flux
  • Ideal for aqueous fluxes
  • Allows flux matching in process
  • Exceeds MIL-F-14256
  • Anti-static spools

25 bobbins in resealable pouch

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Unfluxed White #1 Braid - 10' AS

Wick Size #1 White/Gray

0.035" / 0.9mm wide - best for SMD and micro-circuits
Part # Size Units
Per Case
1830-10F 10ft (3M) long, ESD-safe bobbin 25
Unfluxed Yellow #2 Braid - 10' AS

Wick Size #2 Yellow

0.055" / 1.4mm wide - best for small pads and SMD
Part # Size Units
Per Case
1831-10F 10ft (3M) long, ESD-safe bobbin 25
Unfluxed Green #3 Braid - 5' AS

Wick Size #3 Green

0.075" / 1.9mm - best for medium pads
Part # Size Units
Per Case
1832-5F 5ft (1.5M) long, ESD-safe bobbin 25
Unfluxed Blue #4 Braid - 10' AS

Wick Size #4 Blue

0.098" / 2.5mm - best for large pads
Part # Size Units
Per Case
1833-10F 10ft (3M) long, ESD-safe bobbin 25

FAQ's

Can I use solder wick after the expiration date?

Out-of-date solder wick can create a performance issue. As more oxidation builds on the copper braid, it will take longer to activate and draw up solder. It will slow down a little month-to-month until eventually the performance will be unacceptable. We estimate this to be 2-years based on average storage conditions. Wick in storage wrapped up tight can last longer, while a loose bobbin sitting on a benchtop will probably go bad sooner.

An operator will generally have a feel for how wick performs and will have an opinion on when performance is unacceptable. The main risk of using out-of-date wick is thermally stressing the working area, adjacent components, etc. When an operator tries to make due with old wick that is underperforming, they tend to turn up the heat on their iron, or keep the tip in contact with the wick and work for a longer period of time. 

So whether or not out-of-date wick is considered good depends on the criticality and conservativeness of your process. An average shop would keep using it until it stops working well.  A very conservative process (e.g. for class 3 electronics) could require wick in stock to be discarded at the expiration date, and loose bobbins at workstations replaced periodically (i.e. weekly or monthly).

Can I add my own flux to solder wick?
In a production or repair environment where the flux is specified and can’t be changed, or when an aqueous flux is needed, you can add your own flux to this type of braid. Unfluxed wick will not remove solder unless flux is added. TraceTech No-Clean Flux Pen is formulated to perform at the elevated temperatures of lead-free soldering but is also effective for tin-lead soldering as well. It's designed with a low surface tension to prevent bridging. Post-soldering cleaning is optional because the light residue left after soldering is barely noticeable is non-corrosive and halide free. This is a good choice for tin-lead soldering where cleaning is to be avoided.
How do you remove solder without suction?

All you need is Techspray desoldering braid (wick) and a soldering iron. Here are the basic instructions:

  1. Place the braid over unwanted solder, preferably on the greatest solder build up so that it maximizes the contact of the braid to the surface area of the solder.
  2. Next, place your iron tip over the wick at 45 degrees and allow heat to transfer to the pad. Molten solder will absorb into the braid.
  3. Move the solder tip and braid as needed to remove all of the solder at one time. Careful not to drag the braid over the pads, which can scratch.
  4. Once the braid is full of solder, you must trim the spent portion and move to fresh braid in order to pull more solder. Remove the iron and braid simultaneously to avoid soldering the wire to the board.

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