LEAD-FREE Solder - Page 3 - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

Hero999 · 14th August 2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakerguy79

Eutectic blend of four metals. Here's there 'reasoning' as to why it is better:

Some audio people say it's actually a very easy to work with solder, so I was just wondering what the melting point was, if there is a true eutectic known of these four metals, and/or if he just gets stuff made with a LOT of active flux in the core.

The only problem is, they still contain lead so have commercial use in Europe.

meyrickt · 15th August 2008, 01:12 AM

Many moons ago, I was an apprentice eletrician in sunny South Africa.

We were trained in cable jointing, thats 11KV (and above) cables by the way, well we had to wipe the joints where we joined the lead sheath to the steel armouring. Guess what we used as flux...

BEEF DRIPPING!

It worked very well. But boy did the smell make you feel hungry.

**Krumlink** · 15th August 2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Yes, nothing particularly dangerous in fumes from soldering - the cause for concern over it was a VERY slight chance of the flux fumes triggering an asthma attack - although incidences of this were incredibly low, and ONLY in a production environment.

However, but because of this very slight chance extraction systems were developed, and the flux changed to a far less effective type, which doesn't cause the possible problem at all.

But solder fumes are the highest cause of asthma in the industry.

**Nigel Goodwin** · 15th August 2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krumlink

But solder fumes are the highest cause of asthma in the industry.

No, it's FLUX fumes that can cause asthma sufferers to have an attack in a very small number of cases - there are no fumes from the solder. The flux was also changed to prevent such a possibility, and extraction systems mandated for production faciliites. I was part of a test to see if service facilities had any such need, and the conclusion was that there was no such requirement - which was a shame, because we were going to be provided it free for taking part in the test!

BaCaRdi · 15th August 2008, 03:35 PM

Sorry for the late reply, I wasn't about. I know it has been said already but just so I can answer;

Yep I know it's the flux without doubt, that was what I was referring to when I said solder fumes. You know that nice black smoke that comes out of Resin-core solder we all know it well.

I am sure there is some vapor from the metal being heated to it's boiling point, but I also believe the flux fumes are the real source for the carcinogens, at least in the way of higher concentrations.

As far as the great lead debate;
I guess lead is not the best thing to put in our landfills and let sit around. Again later we would wonder where the heck all this lead in our water is coming from..lol

Cheers,
-BaC

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3v0

Cigarette smoke is far worse then the solder smoke. Nigel has better info, but for the most part the fumes from solder are more or less harmless. The fumes are generated by the flux not the metal. If the lead and lead free solder use the same flux there will be no difference. Depending on what flux is used in the lead free solder, it could be worse.

**Nigel Goodwin** · 15th August 2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaCaRdi

I am sure there is some vapor from the metal being heated to it's boiling point, but I also believe the flux fumes are the real source for the carcinogens, at least in the way of higher concentrations.

No carcinogens in flux fumes, as I've said, the only concern was triggering asthma attacks, and that was rare.

Seeing as I was been tested, I asked lot's of questions about it

**3v0** · 15th August 2008, 06:14 PM

The lead does not boil, the boiling point of Lead is 1740 º C

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaCaRdi

...
I am sure there is some vapor from the metal being heated to it's boiling point, but I also believe the flux fumes are the real source for the carcinogens, at least in the way of higher concentrations.

-BaC

speakerguy79 · 15th August 2008, 06:21 PM

Actually all liquids have a vapor pressure, so technically there is some lead floating around in the air, but it is a very very very small amount for lead until you get above 850F

**Krumlink** · 15th August 2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

No, it's FLUX fumes that can cause asthma sufferers to have an attack in a very small number of cases - there are no fumes from the solder. The flux was also changed to prevent such a possibility, and extraction systems mandated for production faciliites. I was part of a test to see if service facilities had any such need, and the conclusion was that there was no such requirement - which was a shame, because we were going to be provided it free for taking part in the test!

You knew I meant flux fumes sheesh!

rezer · 18th August 2008, 12:57 AM

There are no carcinogens in the flux, just irritants (the flux we use is alcohol based). I myself suffer from flux fumes anytime I inhale them (usually in the form of hacking). The solder has a higher faporizing temp. then most soldering irons are set to (850-900 deg I think). So your fine as long as you don't eat any

We also had testing done at our facility to test for lead among other harmful elements in the air, with me as one of the guinee pigs. The tests came back well below the safey limits.

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15th August 2008, 01:12 AM	(permalink)
meyrickt	Many moons ago, I was an apprentice eletrician in sunny South Africa. We were trained in cable jointing, thats 11KV (and above) cables by the way, well we had to wipe the joints where we joined the lead sheath to the steel armouring. Guess what we used as flux... BEEF DRIPPING! It worked very well. But boy did the smell make you feel hungry. __________________ Rick... Science and sound engineering will always prevail in the end "for nature cannot be fooled" [Feynman]

15th August 2008, 06:21 PM	(permalink)
speakerguy79	Actually all liquids have a vapor pressure, so technically there is some lead floating around in the air, but it is a very very very small amount for lead until you get above 850F

18th August 2008, 12:57 AM	(permalink)
rezer	There are no carcinogens in the flux, just irritants (the flux we use is alcohol based). I myself suffer from flux fumes anytime I inhale them (usually in the form of hacking). The solder has a higher faporizing temp. then most soldering irons are set to (850-900 deg I think). So your fine as long as you don't eat any We also had testing done at our facility to test for lead among other harmful elements in the air, with me as one of the guinee pigs. The tests came back well below the safey limits. __________________ "Remember, you're special.....just like everyone else."