Flux Is Continuous Change, and Also a Soldering Paste
Flux is a state of constant change. The same word names a substance that lets metals join.
Flux is a state of continuous change, and also a substance applied to metal before soldering. The two meet in the Latin *fluxus*, a flowing: change flows, and flux makes metal flow by dissolving the oxide layer that otherwise stops solder from wetting the surface. Without it, solder sits in a bead and refuses to bond. The phrase *everything flows* is attributed to Heraclitus, whose idea that a river is never the same twice is the origin of the modern sense.
- Continuous change. *In a state of flux.*
- A soldering aid. *Apply flux first.*
- A flow. *Magnetic flux.*
- Fluid — the same root. *Fluid.*
- Latin — *fluere*, to flow. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | flux | Flux. |
| Verb | flux | Fluxing. |
| Related | fluid | Fluid. |
| Related | influx | An influx. |
| Latin | fluere | To flow. |
- The plans are in flux.Change.
- Clean the joint and apply flux.Soldering.
- Fluere means to flow.Etymology.
The fluere family
- Fluid — something that flows
- Influx — a flowing in
- Affluent — flowing towards, hence wealthy
- Influence — a flowing in, once of astral power
- Fluent — flowing easily in speech
Latin *fluxus*, a flowing, from *fluere*, to flow.
What does soldering flux do?
It dissolves the oxide layer on metal so molten solder can wet the surface and bond, instead of sitting in a bead.
Why does flux mean change?
From the Latin for flowing. Heraclitus described the world as a river never the same twice, and the image stuck.