Abstract: A solder paste according to an aspect of the invention includes, within a flux, an activator that has a dibasic acid with a molecular weight of 250 or less, a monobasic acid with a molecular weight of 150 or greater and 300 or less, and a dibasic acid with a molecular weight of 300 or greater and 600 or less; and at least one resin additive selected from the group consisting of high-density polyethylenes and polypropylenes. The solder paste has the resin additive in an amount of 4% by weight or greater and 12% by weight or less when the total amount of the flux is taken as 100% by weight, and has a viscosity of 400 Pa·s or greater at 80° C.

Abstract: A flux for a solder paste according to an aspect of the invention includes an acrylic resin obtained by radically copolymerizing a (meth)acrylate having a C6-C15 alkyl group and a (meth)acrylate other than the above-mentioned (meth)acrylate; and rosins. The weight ratio of the acrylic resin is 0.5 or greater and 1.2 or less when the weight of the rosins is taken as 1, and the flux for a solder paste is fluidized by application of a shear force of 10 Pa or greater and 150 Pa or less.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus including a vessel containing a molten solder, a casing defining therewithin a soldering chamber in which a flat overflowing wave of the molten solder is formed, a conveyor physically integrated with the casing for movement therewith and operable for transferring a printed circuit board through the soldering chamber, actuators and for vertically moving the casing, inert gas feeders for feeding an inert gas to the soldering chamber, and a controller for controlling the operation of the actuators and, so that the printed circuit board is contacted with the surface of the flat overflowing wave in an atmosphere of the inert gas during its passage through the soldering chamber.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus including a vessel containing a molten solder, a casing defining therewithin a soldering chamber in which a flat overflowing wave of the molten solder is formed, a conveyor physically integrated with the casing for movement therewith and operable for transferring a printed circuit board through the soldering chamber, actuators and for vertically moving the casing, inert gas feeders for feeding an inert gas to the soldering chamber, and a controller for controlling the operation of the actuators and, so that the printed circuit board is contacted with the surface of the flat overflowing wave in an atmosphere of the inert gas during its passage through the soldering chamber.