From: RNMarsh
In responce to my question regarding soldering to gold on HP equipment.
Pcb trace is copper base, then tin, gold. Soldering is to the tin so a
standard tin/lead is fine..in fact, that is what HP used to use.
I use only two types of solder - both made for the electronics industry so
the flux is appropriate: 63/37 and sometimes the 2% silver if there is any
silver involved (TEK ceramic terminals, for example, or silver switch contacts), 62/36/2.
Only one more thing, be sure to get a brand name; for example, Kester
or Alpha Metals. Because their solder will be of high purity metals. Off
brands and second sources are not sure to be made with pure metals and often have a lot of impurities.
Note: Rosin flux only
Lead = Pb
Tin = Sn
Silver = Ag
63/37 would read Pb63%Sn37%
62/36/2 would read Pb62%36%Ag2%
Lead Free
95/5 would read Sn95%Ag5%
Pic Place holder for these.
In responce to my question regarding soldering to gold on HP equipment.
Pcb trace is copper base, then tin, gold. Soldering is to the tin so a
standard tin/lead is fine..in fact, that is what HP used to use.
I use only two types of solder - both made for the electronics industry so
the flux is appropriate: 63/37 and sometimes the 2% silver if there is any
silver involved (TEK ceramic terminals, for example, or silver switch contacts), 62/36/2.
Only one more thing, be sure to get a brand name; for example, Kester
or Alpha Metals. Because their solder will be of high purity metals. Off
brands and second sources are not sure to be made with pure metals and often have a lot of impurities.
Note: Rosin flux only
Lead = Pb
Tin = Sn
Silver = Ag
63/37 would read Pb63%Sn37%
62/36/2 would read Pb62%36%Ag2%
Lead Free
95/5 would read Sn95%Ag5%
Pic Place holder for these.
Many plating of the copper trace are good for subsequent soldering.
Tin, nickel, Tinned with solder are all good.
What about silver and gold?
I hear that gold can result in embrittlement?
Some of my old stock resistors have silver plated copper lead outs. Even though tarnished, the fluxes in my 63/37 eutectic appear to solder well.
How do we tell if the gold or silver are suitable for soldering?
Tin, nickel, Tinned with solder are all good.
What about silver and gold?
I hear that gold can result in embrittlement?
Some of my old stock resistors have silver plated copper lead outs. Even though tarnished, the fluxes in my 63/37 eutectic appear to solder well.
How do we tell if the gold or silver are suitable for soldering?
Last edited:
That might be what is generally used. This was specific to HP.
I'll try to find out though.
Generally if a componant has some silver in it then the Silver bearing
solder is used. If not, then the 63/37.
You can use the 63/37 with the gold over copper.
- Status
- This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.