Abstract: A container for soldering adjuvant is made of a metal having a composition similar to the composition of a solder bath. Preferably, the container holds solder paste and the container is made of metal having a composition similar to the composition of the metal part of the paste in the container. Exemplary alloys from which the container is made include 2.5 to 5% silver, up to 2% copper and a balance of tin; and a lead-tin eutectic composition.

Abstract: A solder paste comprises a lead-free solder powder, a flux and an active additive in the flux. The active additive comprises a material that scavenges metal oxide from molten solder, is a stable liquid at reflow soldering temperature, and has the ability to assimilate oxide of at least one metal in the solder. A preferred active additive is dimer acid present in the range of from 0.5 to 2.5% percent by weight of the paste. Sound joint are obtained when the paste is used in a reflow soldering process wherein the peak reflow temperature is preferably less than 245° C.

Abstract: A process by which molten solder is purified in-situ, making the soldering process more efficient and yielding better results, particularly for lead-free soldering. Lead-free solder becomes practical for use since the temperature for reliable soldering is reduced. A layer of active additive is maintained on the surface of molten solder for scavenging metal oxide from the solder and assimilating metal oxide into a liquid layer. The active additive is an organic liquid having nucleophilic and/or electrophilic groups. As an example, a layer of dimer acid maintained on a wave soldering apparatus scavenges metal oxide from the bath, and assimilates dross that may form on the surface. Scavenging metal oxide cleanses the bath and lowers viscosity of the solder, and PC boards or the like soldered on the wave have reliable solder joints.

Abstract: A compression apparatus for compressing livestock feed comprises a hopper for receiving the feed; a precompression assembly precompressing the feed; a first compression chamber coupled to the hopper to receive the precompressed feed therefrom; a first ram movable along a longitudinal axis of the first compression chamber and having a first pusher plate for pushing the precompressed feed along the longitudinal axis of the first compression chamber to produce a compressed block of mixed feed product; and a second, reduced volume compression chamber operatively connected to the first compression chamber at a distal end of the first compression chamber for receiving compressed feed pushed from the first compression chamber by the first pusher plate. The first pusher plate defines one side of the second compression chamber when the first ram is fully extended and the second compression chamber has an opening at one end thereof for discharging the compressed feed.

Abstract: A variable area capacitive transducer has two electrodes, and the surface of one electrode is treated to provide it with a thin-film dielectric layer. One of the two electrodes has an apex point nearer the other electrode than the remainder of the electrode surface. As a force is applied to the deformable one of the two electrodes, there is a change in the effective contact area between the electrodes and a resultant change in capacitance. An electrical circuit is disclosed for translating this capacitance change into a d-c voltage change. Temperature compensation is provided for the transducer assembly.