So I've got some SMD chips on some boards that I need to remove. I've heard about this Chip Quik stuff, but their website is terrible and I can't figure out what I actually need to order from Digikey to get the job done:
http://www.chipquikinc.com/index.htm
http://www.digikey.com/short/zvccm
What do I order? The stuff at the digikey link appears to be normal solder, and the composition listed is that of normal solder, so I'm thinking that isn't it.
This is more what your looking for and you can also get tubes of the removal alloy only. There are different types for Lead/Lead free solder.
Always go for "no-clean" paste if poss (doesn't leave appreciable residue), and avoid leaded
solder paste if at all possible, in paste form it gets everywhere so toxicity is a real issue.
The stuff I use is SMD291SNL10, works a treat, tends to dry up over a few months
but in syringe you can always waste a little to get to the more liquid stuff.
I use Chip Quik solder paste, and love it.
I also use SMD291SNL10 in a 10CC syringe. It's 96.5% Tin, 3% Silver and 0.5% Copper.
And that's all you need.
Have I missed the point here? I thought the OP was asking for the removal alloy NOT solder paste.
You might be right.
But then... what do you need, besides heat? Heat melts the existing solder, you lift the components. Simple enough, no fancy chemicals or anything required. I've been lifting SMD components for years. Before I got my rework station all I used was my soldering iron and lots of solder.
majenko:
But then... what do you need, besides heat? Heat melts the existing solder, you lift the components. Simple enough, no fancy chemicals or anything required. I've been lifting SMD components for years. Before I got my rework station all I used was my soldering iron and lots of solder.
The alloy reduces the solder melting point and remains molten for longer than solder after heat is removed. Handy for reworking expensive chips/boards where to much heat will lift tracks & pads or destroy the component.
Riva, you are correct, that special alloy is what I was looking for. Thanks!
Oh. and the package I need to remove is a 44 pin TQFP Atmega1284. I don't own a heat gun capable of heating it sufficiently, and don't want to spend a large sum of money on one which may not do the job. Besides, this board is already assembled, and I can't see how I could successfully heat the chip enough to remove it without also screwing up some of the tiny capacitors and such I have surrounding it. Plus I fear I would rip a pad off the board by mistake. This stuff seems nice and simple and cheap.