Understanding solder types

[NeoHam]

I ran out of solder so I stopped at the hardware and they had two types of solder; 95/5 and 60/40. I was wondering if one is better/different than the other. That got me thinking about my silver solder at work. We use stuff called Stay-Brite which is tin/silver. Am I actually reducing the quality by using 60/40 or 95/5 instead of the silver? Does using lead have any electrical advantage? Can I use the StayBrite on wires?

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/...ets/Soldering/Lead-free Solders/95-5Spec.ashx

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/...Soldering/Lead-bearing Solders/60-40Spec.ashx

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/...dering/Lead-free Solders/STAY-BRITE8Spec.ashx

 

[Se7en]

I ran out of solder so I stopped at the hardware and they had two types of solder; 95/5 and 60/40. I was wondering if one is better/different than the other. That got me thinking about my silver solder at work. We use stuff called Stay-Brite which is tin/silver. Am I actually reducing the quality by using 60/40 or 95/5 instead of the silver? Does using lead have any electrical advantage? Can I use the StayBrite on wires?

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/...ets/Soldering/Lead-free Solders/95-5Spec.ashx

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/...Soldering/Lead-bearing Solders/60-40Spec.ashx

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/...dering/Lead-free Solders/STAY-BRITE8Spec.ashx

Good question

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[Captain Kilowatt]

I ran out of solder so I stopped at the hardware and they had two types of solder; 95/5 and 60/40. I was wondering if one is better/different than the other. That got me thinking about my silver solder at work. We use stuff called Stay-Brite which is tin/silver. Am I actually reducing the quality by using 60/40 or 95/5 instead of the silver? Does using lead have any electrical advantage? Can I use the StayBrite on wires?

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/~/media/Files/PDF/Spec%20Sheets/Soldering/Lead-free%20Solders/95-5Spec.ashx

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/...Soldering/Lead-bearing Solders/60-40Spec.ashx

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/...dering/Lead-free Solders/STAY-BRITE8Spec.ashx

Rosin core 60/40 Tin/lead solder has long been the standard and works VERY well for almost anything. The issue with it is they contain lead and cannot be used in potable water systems. For electronics work they are great. The lead free solders are not all they are cracked up to be.Google the term "tin whiskers". I have always been a proponent of using a tin/lead solder with a few percent of silver in it. It wets the work better and has a bit higher strength. The silver bearing solder will also bond to some metals better.

In short IMHO 60/40 is great for electronics work. If it contains silver so much the better. Avoid the lead free crap.

BTW what kind of work are you in that uses the lead free Sta-Brite #8? HVAC work or plumbing work that requires lead free solder?

 

[NeoHam]

Used to do HVAC now do building automation.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I figured something like that as the move in those industries is away from anything with lead in it.

 

[bob85]

depends what you are soldering, in older gear/ general purpose i use multicore 63/37 eutectic or 60/40 almit superflow,
i also use multicore savbit on heavier cables and for hifi i use silver iar wonder solder.

 

[dxhound]

Eutectic will be the best in 99% of all cases. The reason for that is, there is no plastic state. The plastic state is the inbetween state of liquid and solid. when there is no plastic state, that means there is little to no chance of a disturbed solder connection. We use 63/37 for all soldering at NASA, with exception of High heat applications.

 

[bob85]

yup you don't need to be as slick with the iron or steady handed to make shiny joints with 63/37, 60/40 can look a bit grey/pasty.

 

[74IN]

I may be wrong, but I seem to think that silver solder is used more for a mechanical bond rather than an electrical bond. Used with a much higher heat as well.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I may be wrong, but I seem to think that silver solder is used more for a mechanical bond rather than an electrical bond. Used with a much higher heat as well.

You may be thinking about what is commonly called "silver solder" which is not really a solder as we generally know it. It is more of a brazing type material and comes in rods. It has a fairly high silver content, around 15% with the balance usually copper or a copper alloy. Silfoss is another name for it. I used it on all my ground connections for the tower and it requires a propane or Mapp gas torch.

 

[Se7en]

You may be thinking about what is commonly called "silver solder" which is not really a solder as we generally know it. It is more of a brazing type material and comes in rods. It has a fairly high silver content, around 15% with the balance usually copper or a copper alloy. Silfoss is another name for it. I used it on all my ground connections for the tower and it requires a propane or Mapp gas torch.

Thats what I used to keep the jpole joints together and the so239.

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