Frequently Asked Questions About Lead-Free Hand Soldering (Part 1 of 4)
QUESTION: Do we have to adjust our hand soldering techniques to work with lead-free?
ANSWER: When making the move to lead-free, a common mistake is to turn up the soldering tool temperature. This can be dangerous. Operators are surprised to find that most of their through-hole and surface mount components can be soldered at or below 700° F. This is especially important when using no-clean flux.
When the iron temperature is at the point of charring the flux, a defect is created and cleaning is required. Instead of starting with a higher tip temperature, the operator can try watching for wetting at a given temperature and decide if the process can be done in a reasonable dwell time. Pre-heating reduces reflow time and the risk of heat-related damage.
