Solder pot - lead free solder bars ... any tipps?

[alex_eevblog]

Hi, I ordered a lot of PCBs with mainly pin headers and female headers on it. Each board has like 60x10 pin headers. Therefore I wanted to try out dip soldering.
I would like to use lead-free solder bars. However I did not find a lot of information about lead free solder bar, or if there is any other kind of solder I could use.
From my understanding I can only use pure tin solder bars if I do not want to use solder with lead in it. Is this correct?

[Jackster]

Pretty much can use whatever leaded or unleaded solder you want.
The main differences between them is their melting/working temperature, amount of slag created (decreases with additives) and their performance in terms of strength and fracture resistance.

Make sure you use flux and preheat the board before dipping otherwise you will get poor solder joints and splatter when dipping.

[jonpaul]

We use AIM SN100C bar is 1 kg, cost 30..100$

If rohs complice is not needed, get 63/37 leaded solder bars, Kester, etc.

Check ebay for small qty

Jon

[alex_eevblog]

Thank you very much for the fast replies! I will use flux and preheat everything.

For now it seems that I have these options:

SN99.3CU0.7              - 128€/kg with shipping and tax from China
SN99.0AG0.5CU0.5     - 128€/kg with shipping and tax from China
SN99.9                       - 70€/kg with shipping and tax (local)
Felder SN99,3CuNiGe  - 100€/kg with shipping and tax (local)
SN100C SNCu0.7Ni     - 50€/kg with shipping (local private seller - sold as solder spool 1.5mm - production date is 2017).

The SN100C spool seems to me as the best deal. What do you think?

[Jackster]

Thank you very much for the fast replies! I will use flux and preheat everything.

For now it seems that I have these options:

SN99.3CU0.7              - 128€/kg with shipping and tax from China
SN99.0AG0.5CU0.5     - 128€/kg with shipping and tax from China
SN99.9                       - 70€/kg with shipping and tax (local)
Felder SN99,3CuNiGe  - 100€/kg with shipping and tax (local)
SN100C SNCu0.7Ni     - 50€/kg with shipping (local private seller - sold as solder spool 1.5mm - production date is 2017).

The SN100C spool seems to me as the best deal. What do you think?

Check eBay. Some deals can be had. Managed to get a load for pennies.

[alex_eevblog]

Hi Jackster, thank you for your reply. I did check ebay. But for now I only found the SN100C spool as a good offer. There were a few good offers in the states. But with shipping to Germany and 19% tax on top they wouldn't be a good deal for me. I will wait a bit and check for new offers.
Any suggestions for the list of solder options? What solder type is good or should be avoided for PCB dipping?

[tooki]

Thank you very much for the fast replies! I will use flux and preheat everything.

For now it seems that I have these options:

SN99.3CU0.7              - 128€/kg with shipping and tax from China
SN99.0AG0.5CU0.5     - 128€/kg with shipping and tax from China
SN99.9                       - 70€/kg with shipping and tax (local)
Felder SN99,3CuNiGe  - 100€/kg with shipping and tax (local)
SN100C SNCu0.7Ni     - 50€/kg with shipping (local private seller - sold as solder spool 1.5mm - production date is 2017).

The SN100C spool seems to me as the best deal. What do you think?

Of those, I’d go for the Felder. I’ve had very good experience with their wire solder of that alloy.

As others said, with a solder bath, you have to apply flux separately, and in the end, the choice of flux will be critical to success, so be sure to invest time picking the right one.

[jonpaul]

avoid spool solder use only bars.

5# bars SN100C in USA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275417365235

prices crazy high

suggest to use SN60pb 40 or Sn 63 Pb 37 leaded

1 lb bars $25

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275417365235

Jon