Submitted 4 months ago by myotheraccount@lemmy.world to askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de
These sort of sponges are sold for cleaning the tip of soldering irons:
Now, maybe it’s an odd question – but is there any reason not to use one of these kitchen scrubby things instead?
Stainless steel kitchen sponge
They are way easier to get, plus they are cheaper.
I’m wondering mainly:
It’s not good for the iron tip. You should use a brass sponge.
it is not dangerous in any way since its just metal and metal oxides that do not mibilize at the temps you use for soldering. it is not recommended because the protective layer on most modern soldering irons is made from iron (not steel) and iron is softer than steel.
Are you certain? I seem to recall that steel wool burns. I’m not sure how different the pictures scrubber is from steel wool pads.
a spark is typically hotter than 800°C while soldering above 400°C just isnt something you see for electronics. (brazing is another matter though)
Good point. My gut tells me that soldering temperatures won’t be enough to cause this (the article talks about a spark). Anyway, not something I want to try out while soldering 😅
soldering iron is made from iron, got it…
So, all I need to do is find a soldering steel 🤔
“Soldering steel: for when you want to weld something really, really small.”
here is a schematic diagram with the structure: www.thermaltronics.com/datasheet/M8SB276#item3879…
the core of soldering irons has been copper for a long time.
Eufalconimorph@discuss.tchncs.de 4 months ago
It will destroy the soldering iron tip’s plating. This will quickly result in it being unusable for soldering.
It’s not dangerous. It won’t emit any toxic fumes as long as it’s just a stainless steel scrubber & not one pre-impregnated with soap like a brillo pad. But since it’ll destroy the iron’s tip it’ll quickly be more expensive than brass wool.