We are frequently asked if it is possible to solder to aluminum. The answer is yes, if the following guidelines are followed:
FLUXES:
Because it is difficult to solder to aluminum, Indium Corporation developed Indalloy Flux #3 (activation temperature is 96-343°C) to remove the tenacious oxides that prevent the solder from wetting to the surface. This flux is very corrosive and is not recommended for electronic applications because, if any of the post-reflow flux residue remains after a warm water rinse with mechanical scrubbing, the joint may be compromised. This flux is recommended for mechanical assembly joining applications only.
Another alternate solution is to use a forming gas consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen. This method of oxide removal is generally used when the soldering temperature is greater than 350°C which is ideal for activating the hydrogen to reduce the oxides. With this method, there is no post-reflow flux residue to clean up.
METALLIZATIONS:
An alternate to corrosive fluxes is to nickel plate the aluminum so a weaker flux (RA, ROL1) can be used. These fluxes are less corrosive and can be easily removed with an appropriate solvent. There are many solder alloys that will wet to nickel. Check out our solder alloy physical properties table.
SOLDER ALLOYS:
The solders that are normally recommended for joining aluminum are:
- Indalloy #201 (91Sn, 9Zn); 199°C E
- Indalloy #176 (95Zn, 5Al); 382°C E.