Material: Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl)
Dimensions: 65x45x38 mm
Melting point or approximate reaction temperature: 338 °C
Ideal for cleaning copper soldering tips during soft soldering work
Suitable for soldering lamps, soldering irons, and larger soldering devices
Removes stubborn oxide layers quickly and reliably

Cleaning soldering tips with sal ammoniac stones ensures better solder joint quality, longer service life of the soldering tips, and saves time through smoother work.

Sal ammoniac stones are made of pressed ammonium chloride and are used to keep copper soldering iron tips clean and functional during soft soldering work. The effect is based on the decomposition of ammonium chloride into ammonia and hydrochloric acid upon contact with a sufficiently hot soldering tip. The released hydrochloric acid dissolves the oxides present on the soldering tip, making it ready for re-tinning.

Before cleaning, the soldering iron should be heated to about 338 °C – preferably a little more. The tip is then drawn over the sal ammoniac stone a few times and then tinned with some new solder. Afterwards, the tip should be cleaned with a damp sponge or similar to remove hydrochloric acid residues in order to prevent corrosion of the tip. Finally, the tip can be polished blank.