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Kester / Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Kester Founded in 1899, Kester Solder has established itself as a prominent global supplier of soldering products. Today, Kester Solder stands as a leading manufacturer of solders and related materials for the electronics manufacturing industry worldwide. Operating under the name Kester Inc., the company serves electronic assembly, semiconductor, and automotive sectors across North America, Europe, and Asia. Their extensive product line includes traditional soldering chemicals, paste, wires, and advanced materials tailored for semiconductor packaging and bars. They also offer liquid solder flux, tacky solder flux, preforms, washers, pellets, and flux-cored wires. Originally known as Chicago Solder Company, the company transitioned to Kester Inc. in 1929, with its headquarters in Itasca, Illinois. Since July 2006, Kester Inc. has operated as a subsidiary of ITW - Illinois Tool Works Inc. Renowned for their high quality and cutting-edge technology, Kester's product range encompasses solder pastes, liquid fluxes, flux-cored and solid wire, solder preforms, bar solder, PC fabrication chemicals, residue removers, cleaners, temporary solder masks, and conductive inks. With a commitment to quality evident in their QS-9000/ISO-9001 certification, Kester continues to provide customers with reliable and innovative solutions.

Kester Solder has been a worldwide supplier of soldering products since its inception in 1899.

Today, Kester Solder is a leading worldwide manufacturer of solders and related materials for the electronics manufacturing industry. Products include:

 

  • Solder pastes
  • Liquid fluxes
  • Flux cored and solid wire
  • Solder preforms
  • Bar solder
  • PC fabrication chemicals
  • Residue removers and cleaners
  • Temporary solder masks and conductive inks

Kester products are known for their high quality and advanced technology. Kester's QS-9000/ISO-9001 certification ensures customers of their dedication to quality.

Categories

Solder Wire

Solder Wire Kester Solder Wire is one of the flagship products offered by Kester, a leading manufacturer of soldering materials for the electronics industry. Solder wire is an essential component in electronic assembly, used for creating electrical connections between components on printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other electronic devices.

  1. Composition: Kester Solder Wire is typically made of a combination of metals, most commonly tin and lead. However, due to environmental and health concerns, many Kester solder wires are now lead-free, containing alloys such as tin, silver, copper, and sometimes bismuth. These lead-free alloys comply with regulations like RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals).

  2. Flux Core: Solder wire from Kester often comes with a flux core. Flux is a chemical cleaning agent that helps remove oxidation from metal surfaces to ensure a clean, strong solder joint. Kester offers various flux types to suit different applications, such as no-clean flux for applications where post-solder cleaning is not desired, and water-soluble flux for applications where cleaning is necessary.

  3. Diameter and Packaging: Kester Solder Wire is available in various diameters, ranging from very thin wires for fine-pitch soldering to thicker wires for larger components and applications. It comes in different spool sizes and packaging options, depending on the volume and frequency of soldering needed. Common spool sizes include small spools for hobbyists and repair work, as well as larger spools for industrial use.

  4. Alloy Options: Kester offers a wide range of solder wire alloys to meet the specific requirements of different soldering applications. Common alloys include SAC (tin-silver-copper), SN100C (tin-copper-nickel), and various lead-free compositions. These alloys offer different melting points, strengths, and thermal characteristics, allowing electronics manufacturers to choose the best fit for their needs.

  5. Quality and Standards: Kester is known for its commitment to quality and reliability. Their solder wires often conform to industry standards such as IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) specifications, ensuring consistent performance and compatibility with industry requirements.

  6. Applications: Kester Solder Wire is used in a wide range of applications within the electronics industry, including PCB assembly, soldering of electronic components (such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits), wire harnesses, and electrical connections in various devices and equipment.

Liquid Solder Flux

Liquid Solder Flux

Solder Paste

Solder Paste

Tacky Solder Flux

Tacky Solder Flux

Preforms

Preforms

Bar Solder

Bar Solder

Other

Other

ALPHA HiTech

ALPHA HiTech Kester ALPHA HITECH is a brand under the Kester Solder umbrella, known for its high-performance soldering products designed for advanced electronics manufacturing applications. ALPHA HITECH products are engineered to meet the demanding requirements of modern electronics assembly, particularly in industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and telecommunications.

The ALPHA HITECH line includes a wide range of solder pastes, fluxes, wires, and other soldering materials. These products are developed with a focus on precision, reliability, and advanced technology to ensure optimal performance in challenging soldering environments.

Some key features and benefits of Kester ALPHA HITECH products include:

  1. High Reliability: ALPHA HITECH soldering materials are designed to deliver consistent and reliable solder joints, crucial for mission-critical applications where reliability is paramount.

  2. Advanced Formulations: The solder pastes and fluxes within the ALPHA HITECH lineup often feature advanced formulations tailored for specific applications, such as fine-pitch component soldering, high-temperature soldering, or lead-free soldering.

  3. Low Voiding: Voiding in solder joints can affect reliability and electrical performance. ALPHA HITECH products are formulated to minimize voiding, ensuring robust and stable connections.

  4. Halide-Free Formulations: Many of the solder pastes and fluxes in the ALPHA HITECH range are halide-free, meeting environmental and regulatory standards.

  5. Compatibility with Various Substrates: These soldering materials are compatible with a wide range of substrates, including FR-4, high-temperature materials, and advanced PCB designs.

  6. Process Compatibility: ALPHA HITECH products are designed to work seamlessly with various soldering processes, including reflow soldering, wave soldering, and hand soldering, providing flexibility to manufacturers.

  7. Support for Industry Standards: ALPHA HITECH products often comply with industry standards such as IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) specifications, ensuring they meet the rigorous requirements of the electronics industry.