The purpose of the sponge is as follows; the sponge is porous, so it holds water. Rubbing a hot soldering iron tip on a wet sponge causes the solder to contract at a different rate than the soldering iron, helping to knock off any globs of solder that may be clinging to the tip.
What are soldering sponges made of?
Sponges used for soldering are made from compressed cellulose. This is much denser and critically will hold water and stay damp (you want the sponge damp, not wet!).Oct 31, 2015
Can you use kitchen sponge for soldering?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjonpfTIzg0
Do you need a brass sponge for soldering?
Using brass sponges instead of wet cellulose sponges will help you maintain tip quality and temperature which will improve your solder joints and extend the life of your soldering tip.
What is a soldering sponge made of?
These sponges were compressed and dry and very thin until you soaked them; just like the solder station sponges you would buy. This material is called a Compressed Cellulose Sponge and is availbe in bulk also.
How do you clean the tip of a soldering iron?
Wiping the iron tip on a damp sponge can help to remove oxides easier, and allows waste to fall away. A Dry Cleaner (special brass wool) can also be used. It consists of soft metal shavings that are coated with flux. You clean the tip by thrusting the iron into the shaving a few times.Oct 19, 2018
How do you use brass soldering tip cleaner?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C52rmW3uiuE
Do you need soldering tip cleaner?
You should clean them before, during and after use. You can tell your tip is clean when it appears bright and shiny. ... Metal wool effectively removes dirt and other contaminants and avoids issues associated with using a damp sponge to clean soldering tips. Using a wet sponge will reduce the heat of the tip.