lead free solder

In Europe from 2006 it is apparently going to be illegal to sell lead/tin
solder or any product which contains it. What are hobbyists going to use
then?

Ian

 

Vinegar and brown paper?

 

Best change your name to Jack?

Ian

 

Personally I am going to use this stash (of Pb Sn) that has been building
for just such a rainy day

 

I know most of the PCB manufacturers in the US switched to tin plate a
couple of years ago.....Don't know if that helps or not...

 

They will probably use something similar to the "lead free solder" that
plumbers have been using for years to solder drinking water pipes. Available
from all good DIY merchants.

 

We already have that here (Canada). We even have low lead content.

Its no big deal really, except the working temps are a lot higher, you would need to have
a iron that you can regulate the temp. Only problem is if you solder with ICs that can't
take the heat.

I'm sure that all this new production product coming out with lead free solder is going to
be terrible, cold solder joints everywhere. Great for audio...

 

500 gms last me about 2 years

 

Declare war on the E.U. and carry on using it anyway.

-A

 

At least the same for me too. better get a few kilos in then. What's its
shelf life?

Ian

 

I think that depends on the weather and how you store it.
I found that I had to keep mine in a ziplock to avoid oxidation.....but I
live in a forest.....In Arizona it probably lasts forever...that is if it
doesn't just melt on the spool!
Happy Holidays to all....Ross

 

I don't think the EU is worried about use of lead solder at home. It's
probably more concerned with all the lead that goes into landfill when
equipment is trashed at end of life. Also the lead that ends up in the water
used to wash flux off PCBs when they are made in huge quantities

 

Nah, just like in California, they wanted zero-emmissons auto. It's
physically impossible.

So even now, the EU is making exceptions for military, space,
communications, and god only knows what else. Only the poor slob will be
affected as he will not be able to get eutectic tin/lead solder.


Al

 

I worked in a PCB manufacturer, the actual market in Asia seems difficult to
follow lead free, many testing got fail. For PCB finish, they tried to
change from HAL to Immersion Silver, but it is not a really good method.
Besides, for the green laminate, it is relatives higher in price, but what
the market is.. cost down.. so who will willing to change to lead free!

 

Well as i read it, if they do not then after 2006 they will not be able to
export to Europe.

Ian

 

Correction, cannot get *legally*. So what, all this will do is create
a new smuggling racket and black market, as has happened with tobacco
and alcohol.

I think the E.U, should make an exception for hobbyists, unless they
want a war on their hands.

-A

 

I agree they should make an exception for hobbyists. They are already
excepted from many other directives.

Ian

 

...the working temps are a lot higher

Not necessarily.
63%Sn/37%Pb melts at 183°C
42%Sn/58%Bi melts at 139°C (~50% higher price, 44°C cooler)
91%Sn/9%Zn melts at 199°C (~50% higher price, 16°C hotter)
http://www.cranesolder.com/Solder_Alloys.htm
http://www.alphametals.com/products/lead_free/PDF/leadfree.pdf