Bismuth solder Sn43/Bi57

[Free_WiFi]

Hello people!
I'm doing this thread to ask you,which Sn43/Bi57 solder wire brand do you know.
Basically i already use the genuine Cynel 60/40 and now i want to switch to another one,because of health reasons ....
Thanks to all for advices etc ..
 

[PedroDaGr8]

As a chemist with a background in heavy metals, there are no common health reasons to avoid lead-based solders. Lead does not volatilize during soldering, only the flux; if you wash your hands after soldering you have eliminated essentially all routes of ingestion.  In fact, as lead-free solders often require more aggressive flux (which DOES volatilize) you can actually be making a less healthy substitute.

The reasons for switching to lead-free solders is entirely environmental. As in the environment lead can leach out as lead salts, which are MARKEDLY more toxic than metallic lead.

[Free_WiFi]

Im using the flux in the picture.

[wraper]

Im using the flux in the picture.

The right place for it would be trash bin.

[Gyro]

That is presumably Rosin (and a nice lump at that). Rosin fumes are going to cause you far more problems than physical contact with metallic lead, although as PedroDaGr8 points out, it's a lot less nasty than the flux in lead-free solders.

From Wikipedia:

Prolonged exposure to rosin fumes released during soldering can cause occupational asthma (formerly called colophony disease[15] in this context) in sensitive individuals, although it is not known which component of the fumes causes the problem

Good ventilation and sensible hand washing are the keys to safe soldering.

[wraper]

Good ventilation and sensible hand washing are the keys to safe soldering.

Just good ventilation is not enough. Fume extraction is essential for avoiding breathing flux fumes while soldering.

[Gyro]

Ideally yes, but more difficult to arrange in a hobby situation. A small fan blowing the fumes away from your nose and towards an open window is better than nothing.


P.S. A useful reference on fume extraction... http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg249.pdf

[Ian.M]

Knocking a lump off that chunk of rosin, pulverising it and dissolving it in just enough 95% alcohol (denatured ethanol or IPA) to get a liquid with the consistency of runny syrup, that can be applied to the work in a controlled fashion using a small brush bottle would be a good way to reduce rosin fume exposure, as sticking the soldering iron bit in the rosin to melt some for use causes excessive and unnecessary fuming.

Alternatively, just stick a flux pen on your next parts order.   Any western brand of RMA flux from a reputable distributor will be fine, and will be less messy and more effectvie than making your own unactivated liquid rosin flux.

[Gyro]

Another thought. Is unactivated rosin flux going to be effective at the low melting point of Sn43/Bi57 (139'C)?