Should we use a leaded solder bar?

What is a leaded solder bar? How many types are there and should lead solder bars be used? These are the questions that people are asking a lot nowadays. To answer these questions, follow the article below!

What is leaded solder?

Leaded solder is a name used to distinguish it from lead-free solder bars. In the composition of solder bars with lead, there will be 2 main metals, Tin (Sn) and Lead (Pb), mixed based on a certain ratio. In Tin, the content will account for 70% – 90% of the product volume.

In terms of external identification, leaded solder bar has almost no difference from lead-free solder bars. Still the familiar long, solid, silver-gray cylindrical solder bar. However, to avoid confusion, some manufacturers will write the percentage of ingredients on the solder bar to help users easily identify which is a leaded solder bar and which is unleaded tin.

Classification of leaded solder bar

Based on the percentage between Tin and Lead content in the product, leaded solder bar is classified into 2 main types. That is in bar 63/37 and tin bar 60/40

Solder bar scale 63/37

The first type is solder bars with a ratio of 63/37, which means that the composition contains 63% Tin and 37% Lead. This component ratio is considered standard, creating a mixture of Eutetti with the lowest melting temperature of all types, 183 degrees Celsius, ensuring good welding quality, without affecting the surface of the components to be soldered. The weld is still shiny, beautiful, and durable.

Solder bar scale 60/40

The second type is a 60/40 tin bar, which means that the composition contains 60% Tin and 40% Lead. The melting temperature of this solder bar has no specific point, but it falls in the range of 90 – 450 degrees Celsius. The 60/40 solder bar gives bright solder points, but the soldering quality is not as good as 63/37.

Answer the question: Should we use a leaded solder bar? 

In the composition of the lead solder bar contains the element lead. When welding, toxic fumes are generated, affecting the health of the welder. Not to mention, lead itself is also a toxic element. Once contaminated with lead in the body, it will adversely affect the reproductive organs, the nervous system, and many organs and tissues around the heart, bones, and intestines. Your body will begin to show symptoms such as discomfort in the body, headache, and anemia. Severe cases can cause coma and death.

With the dangerous effects of lead, today, people have limited the use of this solder bar. Instead, lead-free tin bars will be used instead. The lead-free solder bar is an alloy made from metals that are safe for human health such as Tin (Sn), Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), Nickel (Ni), Germanium (Ge), and Bismuth (Bi). ),…Although it is more expensive than those containing lead, the soldering quality is still guaranteed without endangering human health.

However, some industries still have to use leaded solder bar. Because lead in the composition will help the tin alloy to solidify more slowly. During that time, the worker can wipe off the excess solution outside the coupling, ensuring the aesthetics of the weld.

The industries where lead solder bar can be applied are as follows:

Manufacturing and assembling PCBA electronic boards by wave soldering and dip soldering

Electrical engineering is used to solder bar the ends of electrical wires and cables connected to devices.

The jewelry industry, copper plating, copper casting,…

Above are the answers to the question of what is leaded solder bars and whether or not lead-solder bars should be used. Hope this article has provided useful information to everyone. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Thetech for support and advice!