Soldering Iron station recommendations

[pipelineaudio]

What’s the reason for 63/37? I’ve only used 60/40 and sometimes have to use ROHS compliant if the products are going to Europe and I am horrible with it compared to 60/40

 

[FourT6and2]

What’s the reason for 63/37? I’ve only used 60/40 and sometimes have to use ROHS compliant if the products are going to Europe and I am horrible with it compared to 60/40

60/40 solidifies over a range of temperatures. That means as it transitions from liquid to solid, it goes through a plastic state where it's kind of pasty and slushy. If you disturb the joint during this transition, you get a bad (cold) joint. 63/37 is eutectic, which means it both melts and freezes at one specific temperature. Therefore, it sets and transitions much more quickly and all at once. That means fewer cold joints. It also means lower heat is needed, which is better for sensitive components.

 

[pipelineaudio]

60/40 solidifies over a range of temperatures. That means as it transitions from liquid to solid, it goes through a plastic state where it's kind of pasty and slushy. If you disturb the joint during this transition, you get a bad (cold) joint. 63/37 is eutectic, which means it both melts and freezes at one specific temperature. Therefore, it sets and transitions much more quickly and all at once. That means fewer cold joints. It also means lower heat is needed, which is better for sensitive components.

Awesome! After a lifetime of soldering patch bays and all manner of nastiness, I never really thought about the hows and whys of the solder itself! I gotta try some. And probably time for a new iron.

 

[7704A]

Kester 63/37 is the bees' knees.

 

[raiken]

Only Weller soldering stations and Kester 63/37 for me.