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Originally Posted by magnets
Lead free solder is awful. I don't use it. It's much easier to end up with a cold solder joint. Have you every had a ps3/xbox fail on you? It's probably because a lead free solder joint got too hot during operation, and got ruined.
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A poorly made electrical connection will have high resistance. If current is forced through the connection, the power loss (P = I * I * R) can cause the all sorts of issues. In addition to causing electrical problems, the metal at the joint oxidizes much more rapidly than the intended design life, making matters worse. Sometimes, the oxidation proceeds rapidly enough that it is called fire. It does not matter whether the connection is soldered, crimped or bolted, it needs to be done correctly to get the desired result.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dtengineering
Lead free solder is a great way to mitigate envirnomental hazards for large-scale industrial operations. Leaded solder is a great way to introduce people to soldering in small scale educational operations. Comparing the differences between them is a great way to introduce people to some interesting aspects of metallurgy.
P.S. If anyone would like more information on soldering iron tips, and extending their life using both leaded and unleaded solder, I have found the following document to be an excellent reference. http://www.newark.com/pdfs/techartic...ingTipLife.pdf |
Using the various lead-free solders effectively is tricky. Only some of the technicians where I work are formally "Qualified" to do work with lead-free solder and we stick to one type. The document Jason linked to is the best and most comprehensive summary of best practices relating to the care of soldering iron tips that I have seen. Please remember that soldering iron tips are a semi-consumable item like your car tires. They will not last forever but will last longer if not abused.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DonRotolo
This gives us a teachable moment: Lead is toxic. I instruct all students handling solder (in any manner) that they must wash their hands twice with soap, hot water, and vigorous scrubbing. And I enforce it very strictly.
I teach them to think of their hands as dirty or sticky as soon as they handle solder, and to maintain that thought until their hands get washed. Some say it helps remind them.
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Great advice. The lead-free stuff is probably not very good for you either. I always wash my hands well after handling any sort of solder. Often my hands are sticky from the flux anyways.