Soldering terminology

Sponge used for removal of flux residues and solder dross from the tip of the soldering iron . If you clean the hot soldering iron with a wet sponge, water vapor rises which is why it is called steam cleaning . Such special sponges are used for cleaning the copper tip without damaging their thin iron coating . Solder sponges often have a cavity in the middle for collecting the excess solder and the dross.