RoHS Question

Other than making it RoHS non-compliant?

I use 60/40 solder for prototyping, with a mix of RoHS and non-RoHs components. I haven't had problems -- but I haven't tried to get anything through environmental cert, either.

This is for my extended G-job... no certification needed ;-) ...Jim Thompson

If you're talking a discrete 'module' then leading probably uses a matte tin plating, which shouldn't be a problem for tin/lead solder. Maybe need a bit more temp than with lead/tin plating to get good wetting, but less than needed for lead free solder.

BGAs are another matter since they, if RoHS compliant devices, will already have lead free solder bumps (often/usually SAC) and trying to mix those with a tin/lead solder profile can be problematic, because of the temperature mismatch, although solvable from what I hear.

This is hand-work, thru-hole. Only BGA's I ever see are on paper as I figure out the wire-bonding/strap-welding ;-) ...Jim Thompson

I suspected as much but you didn't say, soooo...

We use ROHS BGAs with leaded and lead-free solder, and it all works fine. We prefer leaded solder of course, and use it on US aerospace stuff, but we do lead-free for our european customers, who are presumably less pickey about their airplanes falling out of the sky. At least they don't spread any lead around when they crash.

John

ROTFLOL

Cheers! Rich

Oh, yes! Do a joint with a blob of solder with 60/40, and move it just before it solidifies. You will get something that looks like tiny cottage cheese, all sorts of crumbly chunks. Repeat with 63/37, and you will see a fuzzy-looking surface, but a much more solid joint. Assuming he 60/40 is really a 60/40 composition, and not eutectic with looser specs, the difference will be pretty obvious. But, nowadays, it may actually be impossible to get solder that is really 60/40, as everybody uses the eutectic alloy.

Jon

It's "Chemalloy" brand, dating from the mid-80's, labeled "60/40 Activated Rosin Core Solder". I have several 1lb spools of it ;-) ...Jim Thompson

The word for today is: Lattice

Probably more like they're more programmed for obedience than us rough- and-tumble American rebels. ;-)

True. But I do wonder what's the status of fluorescent lamps there. ;-)

Cheers! Rich

At ordinary operating temperatures, no problems. But SMT parts will tend to dislodge at temps 170C and higher; that is seen even if one starts with HASL PCB and uses tin-silver solder (paste or wire). ANY amount of tin-lead significantly lowers the MP.

At ordinary operating temperatures, no problems. But SMT parts will tend to dislodge at temps 170C and higher; that is seen even if one starts with HASL PCB and uses tin-silver solder (paste or wire). ANY amount of tin-lead significantly lowers the MP.

"Jim Thompson" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

I do it all (most) of the time.... no-one knows, no-one cares and no-one checks....

I thought telecom and aeronautics were exempt.

Does anything run at 170C, especially SMT?

For what it's worth I try to add lead to lead free to make reworking easier, since lead seems to conduct heat better and the resulting solder join acts more like what I'm used to. Fortunately I'm still able to buy

I bought some leadfree solder in case I strike a situation where I must keep the lead out. Stuff acts differently in the heat. But I have the cheap tin + copper, not the expensive tin + silver type.

Grant.