Leaded Solder
Leaded Solder is any Solder made up of an alloy of Tin and Lead. Leaded solders are cheaper and easier to work with than Lead Free Solder alloys.
A quick overview of how Tin/Lead solder alloys work:
- As you increase the Tin content
- It will be more shiny and silver.
- It will be "stronger".
- The melting temperature will lower.
- The liquid time will be longer. (sorta*)
- It will create a higher bead.
- As you increase the Lead content
- It will be more dull and gray.
- It will be "weaker".
- The melting temperature will be higher.
- The liquid time will be shorter. (sorta*)
- It will flatten out more.
Alloy Labeling
Leaded solder is always sold by an ##/## identifier. This is the percentage of Tin by Lead the alloy is made up of.
60/40 would mean that alloy is 60% Tin, while 40% of it is Lead.
Alloys of Leaded Solder
Different alloys of solder will melt at different temperatures while having different flow and freeze characteristics. It will also affect its look and how it reacts to the elements over time. While the latter half aren't super important the first parts are. How the solder works can greatly change your end result or what's possible with it.
| Alloy (Tin/Lead) | Use |
|---|---|
| 63% Tin / 37% Lead (63/37) |
|
| 60% Tin / 40% Lead (60/40) |
|
| 50% Tin / 50% Lead (50/50) |
|