Electronics > Beginners

Solder choice AIM Sn62/Pb36/Ag2 vs MG Chemicals 63/37 No Clean Leaded Solder

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Rango:
Hi guys,

Help me choose the right solder please. I want to be flexible for threw holes and also PCB work. I currently have RadioShack SnPb 60/40 Rosin-Core Solder, 0.062" Diameter Rosin core and it sucks. None joints i did are shiny. I used 373F temps but i doubt they are bad. Just mate looking. I have attached pic below for reference.

I need to buy something really good. I narrowed it down to those two choices. I do like MG Chems being no clean and they claim it runs just like RA activated in their spec sheet. I do like 2% content of AG in AIM one. Maybe i should buy both, i want to but 1.5lbs of solder will last me lifetime.

Is Ag addition better since joints most likely all will be shiny? Also The AIM with Ag have no "plasticy" (slow cool down) period just like 63/37 one?, unlike 60/40 which has plasticy period?
MG also has RA activated one but i really dont want to bother with cleaning after but also AG content intrigues me.

AIM Sn62/Pb36/Ag2 RA3% 0.025" 1lb $25 (double solder vs MG)
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/738-13772

vs

MG Chemicals 63/37 No Clean Leaded Solder 0.032" 1/2 lb $23   
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T8NCP8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81uo-FAupwL.pdf

My current solder which i dislike due to none joints beins shiny, all are mate
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BGXUC84/?coliid=I1WFVDGGUB3TXZ&colid=344GJOB1C0D5B&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Also follow up question. Are capacitors installed with correct polarity? I'm referring to outside foil not plus or minus.

David Hess:
Sn62/Pb36/Ag2 is useful where you need higher strength or need to avoid dissolving silver terminations.  It may also wet better on difficult materials like brass, steel, and stainless steel.  But in general I find it more difficult to work with.

Sn63/Pb37 and Sn60/Pb40 are practically identical as far as performance and results.

No clean fluxes are best on new parts.  For general rework and use with older parts, a more of a more active flux should be used.  So look for a solder with a larger flux core with a more active flux.

Try wiping down the outside of the solder you have to remove oxides and contamination before using it.

reboots:

--- Quote from: Rango on December 18, 2019, 10:37:36 am ---Hi guys,

Help me choose the right solder please. I want to be flexible for threw holes and also PCB work. I currently have RadioShack SnPb 60/40 Rosin-Core Solder, 0.062" Diameter Rosin core and it sucks. None joints i did are shiny. I used 373F temps but i doubt they are bad. Just mate looking. I have attached pic below for reference.

--- End quote ---

Did you mean 373C? 373F would be very low, although it is technically above the melting point of tin/lead solder. I typically use a temperature-controlled soldering station set to 650-750F, depending on the work. A higher tip temperature lets you heat the joint area quickly, so you can make a good joint and get out fast to minimize heat conducted to nearby circuitry.

For general-purpose solder, I use Kester 245 No Clean 63/37 .031" (P/N 24-6337-8800). The No Clean doesn't wet as well as rosin core, but it's nicer for quick PCB repairs.

Rango:
Thanks guys for feedback. I was expecting overwhelming Ag support. lol. You've guys convinced me. I think i will swap to 63/37.

So between AIM 63/37 RMA (mildly activated) $21/lb shipped vs MG Chemicals 63/37 RA (Rosin Activated) $32/lb shipped which one is better you guys think?
I'm going to pass on Kester due to their pricing.

In MG specs sheet they state that it's non-corrosive and removal NOT required, and if so that would be great. It also has 2.2% instead of 3% which i think it's little better?
Please let me know your thoughts on this one.

I've seen videos on youtube with 3% there seems to be too much rosin floating around the board and with 2% is almost perfect. This has 2.2% so it little higher then testing i've seen.

I'll mostly be working with New components, that being devices like those pots or boards. I probably will not encounter corrosive old boards as that is something i don't see myself dong, at least now.

For the temperatures sorry i've listed in F but but was thinking in C, so yes 673F or 373C. Sorry about that. I use 853D clone of Hakko for soldering station. I love that thing.

Is 0.032" wire good width for circuit boards. I mostly work not on circuit boards but i also want to be flexible. I found RS one with 0.029" to be little thin but its ok. Don't see myself going thinner then that.

BTW i didn't remove flux paste from top of those pots, i wonder if that's corrosion setting in now. I've used sand paper to make top of them rough so solder would stick better to top of the surface.
Apparently they use some type of coating which slippery and make it hard to stick. By doing so i've probably taken of protective coating and left bare metal to be exposed to Flux paste.
Hopefully that is not going to cause an issue. Rookie mistake.

Aim 63/37 RMA 2% - $21/lb shipped

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/AIM/13541?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtyU1cDF2RqUC2jZXPeLZbbZNUz3elAYig%3D

https://www.digchip.com/datasheets/download_datasheet.php?id=3340073&part-number=13541

OR

MG Chemicals 63/37 RA 2.2%, Rosin Core Leaded Solder, 0.032" Diameter, 1 lbs Spool - $32/lb shipped
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T8ND66/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81h+ZhgF19L.pdf

Benefits & Features
• Eutectic alloy (liquidus = solidus temperature)
• Alloy exceeds J-STD-006C and meets ASTM B 32
purity requirements
• Flux meets J-STD-004B
• Rosin-activated flux
• Fast wetting
• Fast flowing
• Non-corrosive
• Non-conductive

Terry01:
I would go with the MG chemicals stuff, I have some of that and find it to be decent enough. Grab yourself a flux pen too while your at it for the odd occasion you need a little extra. Even new parts sometimes need a quick dab and the pen does that and makes life easy.

Good luck however you choose.

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