We have lots of residual inventory with flux-cored solder that is many years old. It does not have an expiration date (indefinite shelf life). The "plastic" flux core does not seem to degrade in its inert lead sheath. Liquid flux, on the other hand has a shelf life, but that is driven by the volatile solvent content. Have no idea why flux-cored solder would expire except to make you want to buy more sooner. The flux-cored solder should be good until used up. > Rainer G. Blomberg > Honeywell -Space Systems Clearwater > Staff Production Engineer (727) 539-5534 -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gregg A. Owens Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2005 3:30 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Flux Cored Solder Shelf Life TechNetters: A student of mine has asked, what is the shelf life of flux cored solder? In reviewing J-STD-001 and J-STD-004 I can't find any specific guidance or requirements from the Standards. I know newer rolls of solder (depending upon the manufacturer) have date codes and expiration dates. However, they have a wire solder spool still being used today that was entered into their HazMat system in 1998 (no actual record of the precise date of manufacture). The wire spool is removed from their HazMat system when needed to uncontrolled/undocumented working environments within their facility. Since the standards don't specify a shelf life, what is considered best industry practices or is there a Standard dealing with this issue? Thanks for your responses. Gregg A. Owens Master IPC Trainer Executive Director Manufacturing Technology Training Center, Inc. Mira Loma, CA 91752 USA www.mttc-inc.com --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------