General > General Technical Chat
Which type of lead-free solder is the best?
(1/8) > >>
dritech:
Hi all,

I intend to try soldering SMD components using lead-free solder (I know, some will say that I am out of my mind)
I got two different price ranges when filtering for size 0.381 mm (0.015 in) and 63/37 :

Three from AIM (33 euro average price)
Three from Kester (all 69 euro)

I never had any experience with AIM products. Are they any good, or should I just go for the more expensive Kester?
Also, from the three options, which one would you choose? Unfortunately I do not have the knowladge to pick the best one for SMD soldering.
Below are the links for the solder mentioned here:

https://eu.mouser.com/AIM-American-Iron-and-Metal/Tools-Supplies/Soldering/Solder/_/N-b11qq?P=1yzxbyqZ1z0vtnpZ1z0jnibZ1z0zl9f&Ns=Pricing%7c0

https://eu.mouser.com/Kester/Tools-Supplies/Soldering/Solder/_/N-b11qq?P=1yzxbyqZ1z0vtnpZ1z0jnibZ1z0zl9l
austfox:
Aren’t those links for leaded solder?
dritech:
 :palm:
Okay, that just showed how inexperienced I am when it comes to selecting the correct type of solder. I saw the RoHS compliant symbol and assumed that they are lead free.

Anyways, apparently the only lead free solder from Moser with a diameter close to 0.015" are three below (0.02"):

https://www.digikey.com/products/en/soldering-desoldering-rework-products/solder/262?k=&pkeyword=&sv=0&sf=0&FV=-1%7C117%2C-1%7C82%2C76%7C4859%2C583%7C217368%2C1303%7C364091%2C-8%7C262&quantity=&ColumnSort=1000011&page=1&stock=1&pageSize=25

I also found these from DigiKey

https://www.digikey.com/products/en/soldering-desoldering-rework-products/solder/262?k=&pkeyword=&sv=0&sf=0&FV=-1%7C117%2C-1%7C82%2C76%7C4859%2C583%7C217368%2C1303%7C364091%2C-8%7C262&quantity=&ColumnSort=1000011&page=1&stock=1&pageSize=25

Which type would you recommend for general SMD soldering please?
austfox:
I’ve been using Multicore (Loctite) branded lead-free for years, but in the 0.56mm size. Mouser sell this, as well as the 0.38mm size that you are after. It’s been fine for me, but I’ve only done a light amount of SMD soldering, mainly through-hole.

I haven’t used any other branded solder so can’t advise you if it is better or worse than the others.

Edit: Should have mentioned I’m using the 99C variant (99.3% tin, 0.7% copper).
tooki:
For whatever reason, buying lead free solder from USA to Europe is crazy expensive. You’d be much cheaper buying from a European vendor. (Also, for whatever reason, Kester’s price increase for really thin solder is much higher than many other brands.)

I would suggest one of these:

Rosin:
https://www.reichelt.com/it/en/hs10-lead-free-solder-containing-silver-and-copper-0-5-mm-25-sta-hs10-tsc-0-5-p225655.html

More active no-clean:
https://www.reichelt.com/it/en/crystal-511-tsc-sn95-sn95-ag4-0-5-mm-250-g-sta-511-tsc-0-5-p118604.html

Gentler no-clean:
https://www.reichelt.com/it/en/lead-free-solder-containing-silver-and-copper-0-5-mm-250-g-sta-600-tsc-0-5-p217690.html

Those are all 0.5mm. I really don’t recommend going thinner than that, you’ll find that you need ultra thin solder far less often than you might suspect. I have some 0.4mm and almost never use it (still on the roll I bought around 1990, and it’s still almost full!). Even for SMD, I use mostly 0.7-0.8mm, relying on flux and tip choice to ensure the right amount of solder.

P.S. Those solders are all Stannol, which is the same as Multicore/Loctite, as they all belong to Henkel.


December 2022 update: I’ve changed my mind. Having used Stannol a lot at work, I’m just not thrilled with it. Kester and Felder for the win.
Also, it turns out Stannol is no longer affiliated with Multicore/Loctite. They had merged at one point, but Stannol was spun back off as its own company.
Navigation
Message Index
Next page
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...

Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod