Vectronics VEC-1500K User Manual download pdf (Page 7)

VECTRONICS SOLDERING COURSE LESSONS

LESSON 1

Solder Alloys And Wire

A few short years ago, choosing the right type of solder was easy--you bought

"rosin core" for electronics and "acid core" for plumbing. These days, it's a little

more complex! Distributors now offer a wide range of solder alloys, wire sizes,

core types, and fluxes--not to mention many supplemental soldering aids and

chemicals. While all of these options let you select products especially matched

to every job, the choices can get confusing. In this session, we'll survey a range

of solder products used for electronic bench work--and look at how to use them

safely.

Properties and Characteristics of Common Solder Alloys: Over time, solder

has proven to be the most efficient and economical way to connect individual

electronic components together into complex patterns of circuitry. To find out

why it works so well, we'll start with a definition. The McGraw-Hill Electronics

Dictionary defines "solder" this way:

Solder (1.) An alloy that can be melted at a fairly low temperature, for joining

metals which have much higher melting point. An alloy of lead and tin in

approximately equal proportions is the solder most often used for making

permanent joints in electronic circuits.

Solder is unique because it's a solid at room temperature, but melts easily to

bond with other metals. Once cool, it provides a strong mechanical joint to hold

components in place, and it provides a low-resistance electrical path for

efficient electrical flow. Best of all, the soldering process is reversible. If you

want to replace a component or move a wire later on, you can do it. Little

wonder soldering is the process of choice for a wide range of assembly tasks

ranging from the laboratory bench to the manufacturing production-line!

The Three States of Solder: Solder does more than simply "melt" as it gets

hot. Solder alloys exhibit three distinct physical states during the heating and

cooling process. These are:

Solid State: At room temperature, solder behaves as a "frozen" metal--it's solid

and mechanically stable. The exact temperature where solder begins to "thaw"

depends upon the mixture of metals in the alloy. Most electronic solders change

state at between 360 and 420 degrees F.

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Vectronics VEC-1500K User Manual Page 7