Improving Solder Joints Formed in Microgravity by Use of Magnetic Soldering Paste Additives

Abstract

With the expansion of the space industry, the need for the capability to repair electronics in space grows. Previous researchers have found that attempts to solder in microgravity have yielded joints of poorer quality than those made on Earth, with solder joints formed in microgravity having increased interior porosity. WVU's microgravity research team (MRT) constructed an experiment to solder onboard a microgravity aircraft flight with the purpose of exploring this problem and to test out a possible solution. MRT's testing collected solder samples both in microgravity and a ground control test, which were then cross-sectioned to allow porosity of the interior of the joints to be studied. This determined that there was