Contents
The Basics
An anonymous man soldering a PCB
Generally, solders are non-ferrous metallic elements that have low melting points, often 200 degrees Celsius.
Further, solder has different composition variations, which leads to the various types we have today. However, the more common solder variants comprise tin, lead, or both.
In addition, solder can have several forms, including stick, wire, and pellet. Pellet and stick solder are ideal for solder pots, while wire variants are perfect for regular soldering. But that’s not all–you can get solder in paste, pillions, and sheet forms.
Also, you can get solder in varying colors, like copper, silver, brass, gold, or bronze, each with different properties. For example, gold solder features different shades to complement other alloys, while copper and brass variants have high melting points and brittle structures.
What Are the Types of Soldiers and Their Melting Points?
Soldering iron and solder joints
Here are the various types of solder with the required temperature for melting them properly.
Lead-free Solder
Although lead alloy solders reigned for years as the standard solder for electronics, there were many reports of health-related issues. Hence, manufacturers developed lead-free variations for safety purposes.
In truth, most companies limited the amount of lead in any component to 0.1%. And the 96.5/3/0.5 alloy was the most popular lead-free option. The variants comprised 0.5 percent copper, 3 percent silver, and 96.5% tin.
While they’re health-risk-free, lead-free solders are more expensive than other types.
However, this variant creates brittle but stronger solder joints. And they only melt at higher temperatures. As a result, you’ll need at least 230 degrees Celsius to melt lead-free solders.
50/50 Solder
You can get this solder from a 50% combination of lead and 50% tin. Further, it’s vital to note that this solder type is not the best option for electronics. But it works great for plumbing jobs. Additionally, 50/50 solders have low flexibility and high melting points.
60/40 Solder
These solders have 60 percent tin and 40 percent lead content. Interestingly, cracks won’t happen easily, even if the joint moves frequently during cooling. And it’s because they have incredibly soft features.
In addition, 60/40 solder has a 190 degrees Celsius melting point–but it depends on the composition. Overall, we recommend using at least 300 degrees Celsius.
63/37 Solder
63/37 stands for 63 percent tin and 37 percent lead. One significant benefit of this solder type is its eutectic composition. In other words, 63/37 soldiers are easy to work with as they have fewer chances of creating bad joints.
However, it’s a pretty expensive option compared to its non-eutectic counterparts. Also, its melting point is 183 degrees Celcius.
Note: The Zinc content in your solder determines its melting point. So, higher zinc contents translate to lower melting temperatures and vice versa.
Also, you won’t find any standards for accurate solder melting points because all manufacturers offer their specifications.
Your Soldering Iron is also Important
Soldering iron applying solder
Soldering irons are your channels for releasing specific temperature amounts to melt solder. As a result, you must consider the different temperature designs before choosing your tool and solder.
Usually, soldering irons have three temperature designs, including:
- Manual designs: These types don’t offer temperature control designs. But they’re less expensive and work better for household soldering projects.
- Soldering stations: Soldering stations are advanced variants comprising soldering irons and benchtop control units. Also, they are the most expensive.
- Temperature-controlled designs: These soldering irons allow you to keep the tip at the proper temperature. However, they are also quite pricey.
Rounding Up
When soldering, it’s crucial to check your working temperature periodically. It helps you avoid soldering at low temperatures or having damages from overheating, reducing the soldering tip’s life.
Thankfully, you don’t have to guess your soldering tip’s temperature. Instead, various equipment is available to help you get accurate measurements, like the TID-A digital thermometer and TIA-A thermometer.
Do you have any questions on this topic? Feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.
