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Which type of lead-free solder is the best?
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.
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