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Message ID: 2418     Entry time: Sun Sep 8 16:08:04 2019
Author: rana 
Type: Electronics 
Category: General 
Subject: Solder: what kind of solder to use and why? 

This is a summary of some information on types of solder and their usefulness.

Summary: use the 63/37 Sn/Pb solder from Kester. It is eutectic and has a low melting point so that your opamps won't get damaged.

Eutectic:

We want our solders to be "eutectic" so that it goes from the liquid phase directly to solid with no intermediate slurry. This makes a reliable (and nice looking!) solder joint.

Lead:

The tin-lead solder is a good combo.

 

Links:

  1. Basics of solder choice from Hackaday
  2.  NASA's Tin Whiskers homepage
  3. "Tin Whiskers are Real & Complex" Maxim
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