Solders 60/40,63/37. Why both?

[dknguyen]

Just curious, why does 60/40 solder even exist when there is 63/37? I mean, 60/40 is so close to eutectic, why not just go all the way? Not only that, 60/40 seems to be more popular...why?

 

[audioguru]

I think that 60/40 solder came first, before they found out that 63/37 is better.
Maybe in the beginning of solder they couldn't control the percentage very well.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Rather a waste of time discussing it now? - when it's been replaced by lead-free solder.

 

[Hero999]

You can't even buy lead solder from Maplin anymore.

However companies very often still use it just for prototyping as it's easier to work with.

 

[audioguru]

In Canada we don't worry about lead-free solder yet. I have never seen any.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

In Canada we don't worry about lead-free solder yet. I have never seen any.

I was under the impression that it's a world wide directive?, certainly almost anything electronic (TV, VCR, DVD etc.) that's modern will use lead-free solder, as will all the components inside.

Try looking for the 'RoHS' labelling on components?.

For example here at Digikey https://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Criteria?Ref=20235&Site=US&Cat=34276382

 

[Papabravo]

ROHS 2006 is not a worldwide directive; It is an arrogant European conceit. The effect is worldwide for companies that want to sell their products in Europe. Rather than maintain separate inventories most companies have decided to make compliant products.

There are two exceptions that I'm aware of. Companies that could care less about selling products in Europe and the US Department of Defense. They apparently don't want the reliability headaches of non-lead solder and lead free manufacturing especially in microwave components. Tin whiskers are a bear at UHF.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

ROHS 2006 is not a worldwide directive; It is an arrogant European conceit. The effect is worldwide for companies that want to sell their products in Europe. Rather than maintain separate inventories most companies have decided to make compliant products.

Sorry, I forgot the USA aren't concerned about pollution, and expect the rest of the world to take action while they don't bother!.

 

[Hero999]

I think there are certain exeptions when you can use leaded solder (like when there's no alternative), but you have to apply for it.

 

[dknguyen]

I don't mind leaded solder for hobbyists (I assume there are less electronics hobbyists than consumers so they junk less stuff and junk it less often). Nor do I mind it for high reliability things like military or aerospace. I do think that it should apply to regular consumer electronics that are bought by the masses and get junked very often...everywhere. I mean, wasn't that the whole point of ROHS? Mass consumer electronics being thrown in the landfill because they were getting outdated so quickly?

Solder only though. I think PCB traces and component leads should be lead-free.

 

[Dr.EM]

My current solder is 4% silver apparently:

**broken link removed**

 

[Hero999]

At £49.90 for 2kg it isn't cheap either.

 

[Dr.EM]

True, I got the 100g though. Quite thin (used to 20SWG rather than 18) but good for PCB work.