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© KEMET Electronics Corporation • KEMET Tower • One East Broward Boulevard

F3122_R46_X2_310_125C • 10/31/2022

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 USA • 954-766-2800 • www.kemet.com

Metallized Polypropylene Film EMI Suppression Capacitors

R46, Class X2, 310 VAC, 125°C

Soldering Process

The implementation of the RoHS directive has resulted in the selection of SnAuCu (SAC) alloys or SnCu alloys as primary

solder material. This has increased the liquidus temperature from 183°C for SnPb eutectic alloys to 217 – 221°C for the new

alloys. As a result, the heat stress to the components, even in wave soldering, has increased considerably due to higher pre-

heat and wave temperatures. Polypropylene capacitors are especially sensitive to heat (the melting point of polypropylene

is 160 – 170°C). Wave soldering can be destructive, especially for mechanically small polypropylene capacitors (with lead

spacing of 5 – 15 mm). Great care must be taken during soldering. The recommended solder profiles from KEMET should be

used. Consult KEMET with any questions. In general, the wave soldering curve from IEC Publication 61760-1 Edition 2 serves

as a solid guideline for successful soldering. See Figure 1.

Reflow soldering is not recommended for through-hole film capacitors. Exposing capacitors to a soldering profile in excess

of the above-recommended limits may result to degradation of or permanent damage to the capacitors.

Do not place the polypropylene capacitor through an adhesive curing oven to cure resin for surface mount components.

Insert through-hole parts after curing surface mount parts. Consult KEMET to discuss the actual temperature profile in

the oven, if through-hole components must pass through the adhesive curing process. A maximum two soldering cycles

is recommended. Allow time for the capacitor surface temperature to return to normal temperature before performing the

second soldering cycle.

Manual Soldering Recommendations

Following is the recommendation for manual

soldering with a soldering iron.

The soldering iron tip temperature should

be set at 350°C (+10°C maximum), with the

soldering duration not to exceed more than

3 seconds.

Recommended Soldering Temperature

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Soldering Time (seconds)

Wave Soldering Recommendations

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

0

40

80

120

160

200

240

Time (seconds)

Cooling

2+3 seconds max

260°C

First Wave

Second Wave

∆

T < 150°C

ca. 2°C/second

ca. 3.5°C/second typical

ca. 5°C/second

Preheating

T

preheat

Typical