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Which type of lead-free solder is the best?
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magic:

--- Quote from: tooki on August 16, 2020, 02:32:04 pm ---
--- Quote from: dritech on August 15, 2020, 09:46:22 pm ---I found a Multicore MM01876 which apparently was never used. I believe this is lead free solder, Do you recommend this for SMD? Should I use flux for best results?

--- End quote ---
Looking it up shows it’s a SAC305 lead-free, which is basically the best lead free alloy. The flux is good too, so I’d say that’s a good solder if it’s already there.

--- End quote ---
1% flux content and halide-free?

I have been down that 1.1.3/ROL0 rabbit hole once. It's OK for assembling new boards with new components, less OK when using it on some old crusty equipment, oxidized connector etc. Maybe Multicore's is better but I wonder if your recommendation is based on that sort of use cases.
tooki:

--- Quote from: dritech on August 16, 2020, 05:28:41 pm ---Hi ebaster,

Just to clarify, I did not do any scientific research :) , just reading comments from users (i.e. personal experiences)
Just some highlights from just one forum (link below):

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/solder-types/

"If you really want to go lead-free in a lab environment get SN99c or SN100c. Stay far away from that SAC305 junk."

"I've had good success with Kester K100LD. It's far better than SAC305 for wire solder."

"It's the most common because it's cheap (certainly not the best performing). SN100C and K100LD are more recent, and the marketing literature insinuates performance is similar to 63/37 (i.e. good wetting, nice and shiny joints, low erosion, and cost effective)."

--- End quote ---
Frankly, I think they’re wrong. Those >99% tin alloys all have appreciably higher melting points than SAC305. Shiny isn’t a useful goal in and of itself. Those solders may perform well in terms of wetting, but the higher melting point is a PITA.

December 2022 update: I’ve changed my mind. The SN100NiGe alloys, despite their higher melting point than SAC305, wet and flow so much better that I prefer using that instead.
tooki:

--- Quote from: magic on August 16, 2020, 06:33:32 pm ---
--- Quote from: tooki on August 16, 2020, 02:32:04 pm ---
--- Quote from: dritech on August 15, 2020, 09:46:22 pm ---I found a Multicore MM01876 which apparently was never used. I believe this is lead free solder, Do you recommend this for SMD? Should I use flux for best results?

--- End quote ---
Looking it up shows it’s a SAC305 lead-free, which is basically the best lead free alloy. The flux is good too, so I’d say that’s a good solder if it’s already there.

--- End quote ---
1% flux content and halide-free?

I have been down that 1.1.3/ROL0 rabbit hole once. It's OK for assembling new boards with new components, less OK when using it on some old crusty equipment, oxidized connector etc. Maybe Multicore's is better but I wonder if your recommendation is based on that sort of use cases.

--- End quote ---
While I agree it won’t be good for old boards, FYI, it’s not a 1%. The datasheet you probably looked at (there are a few) merely states that a 1% version is available, but it’s not saying it’s the default.

This datasheet (https://www.pemro.com/mmpemro/DataSheets/C400DS.pdf ) makes it much clearer: as a 3-core solder, it’s 2% flux.
peter-h:
For hand soldering, at work we tested many and far out the best was Almit from Japan. Very very expensive... Most of the others were horrible.

For SMT reflow soldering, we use a subcontractor and I don't know what they use.
newbrain:

--- Quote from: eti on August 16, 2020, 05:40:10 am ---Lead-free solder = unreliable joints = shorter product lifespan = unjustifiable repeat sales = more revenue for the product manufacturer = more tax for the country.

--- End quote ---
Bollocks. :bullshit:

I work in a place that designs and produces electronic equipment which is sold by the million units and used all over the world, in all kind of internal and external environments.
Replacement cycles can be long or short, but we have a lot of very old stuff around.

When we made the move to lead free (and all the rest of Rohs), there were some teething problems - as with any process change: I still remember some early BGA based boards...

To my knowledge, we have not experienced any increased field failure rates or returns due to lead free solder, and I've never seen a recall issued specifically for Rohs related problems on the stuff I worked on.
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