What does sal ammoniac serve as in soldering work?

In soldering work, sal ammoniac primarily serves as a flux compound. It enhances the adherence of solder to the metal surfaces by promoting a clean and wettable surface. The presence of sal ammoniac helps to remove oxides and impurities from the metal, allowing for better solder flow and reducing the risk of weak joints.

Using sal ammoniac as a flux is crucial because it decreases the surface tension of the solder, ensuring that it can spread evenly over the area being soldered. This leads to a stronger, more reliable connection between components. Additionally, the activation of sal ammoniac provides better thermal conductivity during the soldering process, contributing to overall effectiveness in joining metals.

While it may also help in cleaning to some extent, its primary role is to function as a flux, making it essential for achieving quality solder joints in HVAC sheet metal work.