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Inkjet printing to make powdered copper,solder, flux stick to substrate

2004-03-20 by Richard Mustakos

Brewers,
I want to try using an inkjet to moisten a mix of Cu, Sn/Pb and flux 
powders to make them stick together and to a substrate.  Then I can dump 
or blow the remaining dry powders off and reflow the solder to hold the 
copper to the substrate.  I've been looking for powdered copper, solder 
and flux.  I've had some success with finding copper (10g/$, 0.5 kg 
min).  So far, no joy on powdered (dry) flux.  Powdered solder exists, 
and I have even seen references to flux coated solder (reduces 
oxidation), but so far, I have not found a company that sells powdered 
solder.  They only seem to produce it for use in solder paste.  Do any 
of you know of an electronics friendly, dry flux powder?  Water soluble 
is even better. I've found a number of flux powders, but they all seem 
to be for brazing.  One that I don't know what it's used for is Ammonium 
Chloride: UnitedNuclear.com says: "Ammonium Chloride is a common 
soldering flux used for joining metals together." Does anyone know if 
NH4Cl is suitable for electronics? If so, I can get 2 oz for $2 there. 
Any ideas on solder powder supplies?
Do any of you live in Southern California?  I don't have a laser printer 
yet, and would like to try a couple of things.  I'm in the Thousand Oaks 
area.  Now that you know, please don't stalk me ;-)
RM

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