Originally Posted by
6PTsocket
RMA stands for rosin,MILDLY activated not medium. Interestingly, Kester 186, a popular rma flux is not recommended for nickel (or nickel plated steel), the stuff battery packs are jumpered with.The SR brand 99-20 flux pen also contains an RMA flux and they say it works on nickel. What are you using? I think I prefer a paste; it is easier to control. For years I used NOKARODE, which is a plumbing flux with good success but it contains acids and chloride compounds and is undoubtedly an RA, rosin activated flux and I probably shouldn't have used it.
I have heard it called both through the years.
I have found that if you clean the residue well, most flux types will work.
Not cleaning flux residue can lead to corrosion, with stronger fluxes acting more quickly and with more total corrosion. So I always recommend cleaning flux, even the no clean stuff.
Some may be too strong and damage platings, but the average electrical flux should be mild enough.