Lead vs. Silver solder

[fdegrove]

Hi,

According to this document soldering was never really "invented" but rather developed over thousands of years:

Beware it is a huge PDF file.

History of soldering.

Cheers,

[Christer]

Frank, note that I said soldering in the context of electronics
since soldering itself is much older.

Joel and Eric, I do think the text I found referred to soldering,
not specifically PCBs, but I may have misunderstood. I was
actually surprised that it wasn't older, since I too have seen
quite old equipment that has been soldered. Obviously the text
was either wrong or referred to the PCB soldering.

[Damon Hill]

The quality of soldering depends on several factors; a common
60/40 solder doesn't seem to 'bind' as well as a 63/37 eutectic
and may be more subject to fatique failure. But this can also
be due to the metals being joined, their prepartion/cleanliness,
the effectiveness of the flux, soldering temperature and length
of time being etc, individual soldering technique, etc.

I prefer to use a eutetic solder because in the too-distant past
when I was employed in electronics, my employers mandated
the use of eutetic solder for all applications. I also use a eutetic
silver-bearing solder for most audio work, though I have never
heard a difference--I just hope it's good practice.

I have a no-lead solder that's tin and something else, but I don't
like it as much; the finished joints don't look as good as eutetic.
Solders being used for mechanical assembly that rely on strength
are necessarily different from electronic solders, some of which
may be mechanically stronger.

The issue is annoyingly complex and made worse by unreliable subjective impressions having little relevance to good electronic practices.

Anyone ever taken apart a compact fluorescent lamp? The electronic ballast is suprisingly complex with salvageable and
useful parts; I had a broken Phillips compact lamp which had two
small PCBs in the base with through-hole and surface mount
components. Lots of solder, too. The actual amount of mercury
in the device is probably very small, and the solder's eventual
toxic hazard may be greater. I plan to save defective lamps and
dispose of them through local recyling/hazardous waste programs.

[Christer]

Originally posted by Damon Hill
I have a no-lead solder that's tin and something else, but I don't
like it as much; the finished joints don't look as good as eutetic.

FYI, there are lead-free eutectic solders, eg.
95.5% Sn/3.5% Ag/0.7% Cu.

[peranders]

Can people really hear different solder alloys I can't! Isn't this very near sugar pills?

Different solder alloys have different properties (and prices) but isn't it soldering properties which are important?

[Tube_Dude]

Hi paranders!

I can't also ear the sound of solder!!!
For me the important is the sound of topologies!! that i can hear easely...
But for the sound of solder brigade...life become dificult
Imagine for a project to ear the sound of :
1ooo diferent boxes..
" " fet or cones
" " internal wires
" " types of resistors
" " " " capacitors
" " pots
" " active devices
" " damping counpounds (magic potions)
" " RCA conectors
" " Speaker conectors
" " screws and bolts
after that to decide what is the best!

Life is not easy for some!

Regards

Jorge

[fdegrove]

Hi,

I have a no-lead solder that's tin and something else, but I don't

Well, you'll need to get used to that...I can understand that when you first switch to leadfree solder you're a bit disappointed because it does not give you that shiny look.

For me leadfree solder sounds better but unfortunately it is harder to get it right, it takes a bit of practice.

While it is still out there get yourselves some reels of Savbit solder if you work with copper traced PCBs and don't use silver wire.It sounds better that way.

If you're working PCB-less like myself and most of the soldering is to silverplated sockets and silver wire, than leadfree silversolder is the way to go.

As an experiment you can try to breadboard your circuit using turret tags and wirewrapping techniques, then you will really hear how dirty lead sounds in comparison.

Cheers,

[ALW]

As an experiment you can try to breadboard your circuit using turret tags and wirewrapping techniques, then you will really hear how dirty lead sounds in comparison.

I'd love to do this comparison. Wirewrap when done properly gives lots of gas-tight cold welds, and an exceptionally good connection.

Shame it doesn't work for SMD

Andy.

[mrfeedback]

Originally posted by peranders
Can people really hear different solder alloys I can't! Isn't this very near sugar pills?
Different solder alloys have different properties (and prices) but isn't it soldering properties which are important?

Solering properties are indeed important, and like Frank says it does take practice to get lead-free soldering right, and like he says the effort is very worthwhile.

Peranders, what gear are you listening on ?.
If your gear is not good enough, the fine sonic changes wrought are likely masked by other system sounds.
Also, listen for changes in patterns in the sound, and not just frequency response.

Eric.

[fdegrove]

Hi,

Peranders, what gear are you listening on ?.

Smoerebrod?

No offense,