Silver Solder, Lead Free Solder . . . .

Hi!
I have read a few posts and the response to them on the safety of
solders carcinogens etc on this group. Interesting.
What I am asking is - silver solder is more readily available these days
and so is lead free solder. Do all lead free solder have silver content?
Does silver solder have a higher mp?
I am about to buy a soldering iron with a finer tip than what I have. I
cannot splash out too much for a temperature controlled one just want to
get the best my money can buy. Now, I have noticed 'lead free' soldering
irons. The given data along with them says tips tinned with lead free
solder. Anybody has any more data?
Thanks in advance for any enlightment.
Ramendra

I dont know much about your solder questions but in regards to you
buying a new iron, I bought a Weller WESD51 from

http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bi...b/Weller/90/1/

for just hobbyist stuff and am very pleased with it. It may cost more
than you want to spend but is by no means a bank breaker. There is
also a nice non-controlled iron there for about $40 US. I am by no
means affiliated with Weller or the website, I just thought I would let
ya know.


--Brian

Ramendra S Roy wrote:
(snip)
> Do all lead free solder have silver content?

No. There are many different alloys available.

> Does silver solder have a higher mp?

Than what? Silver has a higher melting point than either tin or lead,
so alloys of tin lead and silver usually have a higher melting point
than alloys of just tin and lead, but it depends a lot on how much
silver is in the alloy.

> I am about to buy a soldering iron with a finer tip than what I have.

In what country are you making this purchase?

> I cannot splash out too much for a temperature controlled one

They are available for well under $50.

> just want to get the best my money can buy.

How much money are you willing to spend?

> Now, I have noticed 'lead free' soldering irons.
> The given data along with them says tips tinned with
> lead free solder. Anybody has any more data?

They are trying to tell you that if you are working a lead free
production line, it will not be momentarily contaminated with the
tinning (solder coating) on the tip of the new iron.

Thanks fot your replies.

The lead free silver solder that I can get here in the UK from maplin
has 4% silver.

I am buying the soldering iron in the UK also and budget is around £20.
I am not a professional - just DIY for fun and satisfaction.

I was asking about the melting point only because I do not consider
myself an expert solderer and even though my circuits seem to work - am
concerned about destroying components because I take too long to solder
connections. Therefore - higher melting point - greater chance of
toasting the component etc..

Thanks for your ideas.

Ramendra

John Popelish wrote:
> Ramendra S Roy wrote:
> (snip)
>
>> Do all lead free solder have silver content?
>
>
> No. There are many different alloys available.
>
>> Does silver solder have a higher mp?
>
>
> Than what? Silver has a higher melting point than either tin or lead,
> so alloys of tin lead and silver usually have a higher melting point
> than alloys of just tin and lead, but it depends a lot on how much
> silver is in the alloy.
>
>> I am about to buy a soldering iron with a finer tip than what I have.
>
>
> In what country are you making this purchase?
>
>> I cannot splash out too much for a temperature controlled one
>
>
> They are available for well under $50.
>
>> just want to get the best my money can buy.
>
>
> How much money are you willing to spend?
>
> > Now, I have noticed 'lead free' soldering irons.
> > The given data along with them says tips tinned with
> > lead free solder. Anybody has any more data?
>
> They are trying to tell you that if you are working a lead free
> production line, it will not be momentarily contaminated with the
> tinning (solder coating) on the tip of the new iron.

"Ramendra S Roy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:xLuHf.26309$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks fot your replies.
>
> The lead free silver solder that I can get here in the UK from maplin
> has 4% silver.
>
> I am buying the soldering iron in the UK also and budget is around £20.
> I am not a professional - just DIY for fun and satisfaction.
>
> I was asking about the melting point only because I do not consider
> myself an expert solderer and even though my circuits seem to work - am
> concerned about destroying components because I take too long to solder
> connections. Therefore - higher melting point - greater chance of
> toasting the component etc..
>
> Thanks for your ideas.
>
> Ramendra
>
Unless you are repairing some alaready lead free joints, stick with the old
tin/lead solder and save yourself a bunch of trouble. The lead free stuff
does not work very well.

Ramendra S Roy wrote:
> Thanks fot your replies.
>
> The lead free silver solder that I can get here in the UK from maplin
> has 4% silver.
>
> I am buying the soldering iron in the UK also and budget is around £20.
> I am not a professional - just DIY for fun and satisfaction.
>
> I was asking about the melting point only because I do not consider
> myself an expert solderer and even though my circuits seem to work - am
> concerned about destroying components because I take too long to solder
> connections. Therefore - higher melting point - greater chance of
> toasting the component etc..

If you are not soldering products for sale, why are you using lead
free solder? The easiest to use alloys are 63% tin, 37% lead, and 62%
tin, 36% lead, 2% silver.

Ramendra S Roy wrote:

> Thanks fot your replies.
>
> The lead free silver solder that I can get here in the UK from maplin
> has 4% silver.
>
> I am buying the soldering iron in the UK also and budget is around £20.
> I am not a professional - just DIY for fun and satisfaction.
>
> I was asking about the melting point only because I do not consider
> myself an expert solderer and even though my circuits seem to work - am
> concerned about destroying components because I take too long to solder
> connections. Therefore - higher melting point - greater chance of
> toasting the component etc..

The higher temps involved in lead free soldering actually make a
thermostatic iron more important.

You might actually be well advised to continue using 'proper' solder. Lead
free has many issues - not least its lack of wetting ability. Classic
tin/lead solder will continue to be available since it's needed for
mainteance reasons ( not to mention those who managed to get an exemption )
..

You seriously don't *want* to use lead free. No one in their right mind
would. Failure rates of equipment are already increasing as it's phased in.

Graham