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What temp does pc board solder melt? Desoldering temperature
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024

What temp does pc board solder melt? Solder melting points vary depending on the type. Traditional tin-lead solder, the common 63/37 tin-lead alloy melts at about 183°C. Today’s widely used lead-free solder, for example, tin-silver-copper alloy, melts at about 217°C – 227°C. When soldering SMD components, the temperature is set at around 240°C – 260°C to ensure that the tin-silver-copper solder is fully melted.

What temperature do PCBs melt?

The melting point of the PCB substrate itself is usually between 130°C and 140°C. This means that above this temperature range, the FR-4 substrate may begin to soften and melt.

What temp does pc board solder melt? Desoldering temperature

In electronics manufacturing, components on PCB substrates are usually connected by soldering technology. The solder used in the soldering process has a lower melting point, generally between 183°C and 215°C. This ensures that during the soldering process, the solder can melt and form a reliable connection with the PCB substrate and components.

What is the best solder for circuit boards?

The best solder selection for circuit boards depends on the specific application requirements and environmental conditions.

  • Tin-lead solder wire: Tin-lead solder wire is one of the most commonly used solders in circuit board soldering. It is usually made of 63/37 tin-lead alloy, which has the advantages of low melting point, good fluidity and easy operation.
  • Lead-free solder wire: With the improvement of environmental awareness, lead-free solder wire has gradually become the mainstream. Lead-free solder wire is mainly composed of tin, silver, copper and other elements, and has the characteristics of high melting point, high hardness and wear resistance.
  • Silver paste: Silver paste is a packaging material widely used in high-frequency circuits, microwave circuits, power devices and printed circuit boards. It is applied to the surface of the circuit board by spraying or printing, and is baked and cured at high temperature.

What is the melting point of circuit board solder?

The melting point of circuit board solder is usually between 183℃ and 214℃. Commonly used solder is tin-copper alloy, which has good plasticity, conductivity and corrosion resistance, making it the most commonly used soldering material. In addition, the melting point of lead solder is 183℃, while the melting point of lead-free solder is 217℃.

In the actual soldering process, the soldering temperature is usually about 50℃ higher than the melting point of the solder, so the actual soldering temperature is generally between 220℃ and 250℃.

What temp does pc board solder melt? Desoldering temperature

For manual soldering, the soldering temperature is generally between 300℃ and 350℃ to ensure that the solder wire melts quickly and ensures good wettability. For wave soldering, the optimal temperature is 280℃, and the tin furnace temperature can be set to 288±5℃.

What temperature does 50/50 solder melt at?

The melting temperature range of 50/50 solder is 190℃ to 216℃. This solder is an alloy composed of 50% tin and 50% lead, and its melting temperature is approximately in this range.

In addition, the melting point of solder varies depending on the composition. For example, the melting points of lead solder wire are as follows:

  • 63/37 melting point is 183℃
  • 60/40 melting point is 185℃ to 190℃
  • 55/45 melting point is 187℃ to 202℃
  • 50/50 melting point is 190℃ to 216℃
  • 45/55 melting point is 192℃ to 227℃
  • 40/60 melting point is 194℃ to 238℃
  • 35/65 melting point is 198℃ to 247℃
  • 30/70 melting point is 202℃ to 256℃.

Can you burn a PCB while soldering?

The PCB may be burned during soldering, which mainly depends on the control of soldering methods and parameters.

The main reasons for burning PCB during laser welding include:

  • Excessive laser power: Laser power is a key factor in determining the heat input of welding. If the power is set too high, the laser energy will be concentrated in the solder joint in a short time, and the heat generated will far exceed the heat required for the solder to melt, causing PCB burns.
  • Improper pulse width and frequency: The laser pulse width and frequency will also affect the welding effect. A pulse width that is too long or a frequency that is too high will cause excessive heat accumulation, and the heat transferred to the PCB board will increase, which may cause burns.
What temp does pc board solder melt? Desoldering temperature
  • Poor thermal performance of materials: PCB materials have low thermal conductivity or small specific heat capacity, and the heat conduction speed inside the material is slow, which is easy to concentrate near the solder joint, causing local overheating and burns.
  • Surface treatment and quality problems: When a PCB board with oil, oxide layer or impurities on the surface is irradiated by laser, the contaminants will absorb part of the laser energy, generate additional heat, and increase the risk of burns.

The reasons for burning PCBs during traditional welding include:

  • Excessive welding temperature and excessive welding time: The temperature generated during welding is indeed very high, but if the welding temperature is too high or the welding time is too long, it may cause damage to the components on the circuit board or thermal cracks in the circuit board itself.

Measures to avoid burning PCB

  • Choose appropriate welding tools and methods: Choose welding tools that suit your needs and control welding temperature and time. For laser welding, reasonably set the laser power, pulse width and frequency to ensure that the heat input is within a safe range.
  • Control welding temperature and time: Set the appropriate welding temperature according to the material of the circuit board and the heat resistance of the components, and try to shorten the welding time.
  • Optimize welding skills: Master welding skills to avoid the problems of thermal expansion deformation of copper foil and separation of copper foil from the substrate caused by high-energy local rapid heating.
  • Check the quality of PCB boards: Ensure that the surface treatment of PCB boards is clean, without oil, oxide layer or impurities, and avoid contaminants absorbing laser energy to generate additional heat.

What temperature does PCB solder reflow at?

The temperature range of PCB solder during reflow soldering is usually 220℃ to 249℃. During the reflow soldering process, the solder paste needs to undergo processes such as solvent volatilization, flux removal of oxides on the surface of the weldment, solder paste melting, reflow, and solder paste cooling and solidification. The specific temperature zones are as follows:

  • Preheating zone: The temperature gradually rises from room temperature to about 150℃. At this stage, the solvent and gas in the solder paste begin to evaporate, the flux wets the pads and component pins, and the softened solder paste covers the pads, isolating oxygen and preparing for the next welding.
What temp does pc board solder melt? Desoldering temperature
  • Constant temperature zone: The temperature is between 150℃ and 200℃, ensuring that the PCB and components are fully preheated to avoid damage to the PCB and components due to a sudden temperature rise.
  • Reflow zone: The temperature rises rapidly to 220℃, up to 249℃. In this area, the solder paste reaches a molten state, the liquid solder wets and diffuses, and forms solder joints between the pads, component ends and pins.
  • Cooling zone: The solder joints gradually solidify, completing the entire reflow process.

Temperature control during reflow is extremely important because it directly affects the welding quality and product reliability. Too high or too low temperature may cause welding defects such as solder balls, cold soldering, bridging and other problems.

What temperature should pcb be desoldered at?

The temperature range of PCB during desoldering is generally between 250℃ and 350℃. The specific temperature should be adjusted according to the size and type of components on the circuit board. For smaller components and thin lines, the temperature should be set at around 250℃; for larger components and thicker solder joints, the temperature can be set at around 350℃.

Specific temperature requirements for different welding methods

  • Manual welding: usually set between 300℃ and 350℃. For precision components such as IC and SMD, it is recommended to control between 260℃ and 300℃; for welding of large-area heat sinks or power lines, the temperature may need to be increased to around 380℃.
  • Wave soldering: The temperature of the preheating zone is usually 90℃ to 140℃, and the temperature of the solder tank is 240℃ to 260℃.
  • Reflow soldering: The temperature of the preheating zone is 150℃ to 200℃, the wetting zone is maintained at 150℃ to 200℃, the temperature of the reflow zone is 230℃ to 260℃, and the temperature of the cooling zone drops rapidly to below 100℃.
  • Laser welding: The local temperature is usually 250℃ to 300℃, and the exposure time is usually 0.1 to 2 seconds.

In short, the melting point of printed circuit board solder varies depending on the type and application scenario. Among traditional tin-lead solders, the melting point of 63/37 tin-lead alloy is about 183℃, which was widely used in PCB welding. With the demand for environmental protection, lead-free solder has emerged, and the melting point of common tin-silver-copper alloy is 217℃ – 227℃.

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What is Soldering? What Temperature Does Solder Melt?
Friday, September 6th, 2024

Soldering is a crucial process in many industries, especially in electronics and metalworking. It involves bonding materials, primarily metals, using a filler material called solder. This process is essential for creating connections that are both electrically conductive and mechanically strong. But what exactly is soldering? At what temperature does solder melt? And what types of solder are most commonly used? This blog will answer these questions and explain why soldering is important.

What is Soldering?

Soldering is a PCB assembly process where two or more metal surfaces are joined by melting and flowing a filler metal (solder) into the joint. Unlike welding, soldering doesn’t melt the base metals. Instead, the filler metal, which has a lower melting point, is used to create a bond between the two surfaces. The process is common in electronics, plumbing, and metalwork, where a strong, conductive connection is needed.

What is Soldering? What Temperature Does Solder Melt?

Generally speaking, the commonly used solder materials are tin lead alloy solder, antimony solder, cadmium solder, silver solder, and copper solder. The linear solder used in standard welding operations is called rosin cored solder wire or solder wire. A flux was added to the solder. This flux is composed of rosin and a small amount of active agent. It is very important to set the temperature during welding operation. The most suitable temperature for welding operations is plus 50 degrees at the melting point of the welding used. The set temperature of the soldering iron head, due to the size of the welding part, the power and performance of the soldering iron, and the different types and lines of the solder, it is appropriate to increase 100 degrees on the basis of the above temperature.

The main products of solder are divided into three categories: solder wire, solder bar and solder paste. Applied to all kinds of electronic welding, suitable for manual welding, wave welding, reflow welding and other processes.

What is Soldering Primarily Used For?

Soldering is mainly used in the electronics industry to connect various components on PCBs. Without soldering, it would be nearly impossible to create the intricate electrical connections that power most electronic devices. From mobile phones to computers, soldered joints are everywhere.

Soldering is also widely used in plumbing for joining copper pipes. It creates leak-proof seals that withstand pressure, making it reliable for water supply systems. Additionally, jewelry makers and metalworkers use soldering to join fine pieces of metal. It allows them to create strong, invisible joints without damaging delicate components.

What Temperature Does Solder Melt?

The melting point of solder depends on the type of solder being used. Solder typically comes in two main varieties: leaded and lead-free.

What is Soldering? What Temperature Does Solder Melt?
  • Leaded Solder

The most common composition of leaded solder is a mixture of tin (Sn) and lead (Pb), typically in a 60/40 ratio. This type of solder melts at around 183°C (361°F). Leaded solder has been used for decades due to its reliable melting point and easy flow properties, making it ideal for electronics.

  • Lead-Free Solder

Lead-free solder is now more widely used due to health and environmental regulations. Lead-free solder typically contains a mix of tin, copper, and sometimes silver. Its melting point is slightly higher, around 217°C (423°F). Although it requires more heat, lead-free solder is considered safer and more environmentally friendly.

It’s important to note that different solders may have varying melting points depending on their specific composition. Always check the specifications of the solder you’re using to ensure you apply the correct temperature.

Does Solder Have Lead?

Not all solder contains lead. Leaded solder was once the standard for many years, especially in the electronics industry. However, due to the harmful effects of lead exposure, leaded solder is being phased out, particularly in consumer electronics.

Lead-free solder is now the preferred option, especially for products sold in regions that regulate the use of hazardous materials. The shift to lead-free solder has become more prevalent with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, which bans the use of lead in many electrical and electronic products. Today, many manufacturers and companies use lead-free solder for health and environmental reasons.

While lead-free solder is generally considered safer, leaded solder is still used in some industries due to its lower melting point and reliability in certain applications.

What is the Melting Point of Solder?

The melting point of solder depends on its composition, but the most commonly used solders have predictable melting temperatures:

  • Leaded Solder: 183°C (361°F)
  • Lead-Free Solder: 217°C (423°F)
What is Soldering? What Temperature Does Solder Melt?

These are standard temperatures, but other specialized solders may melt at higher or lower temperatures. For instance, silver-bearing solders may melt at higher temperatures, while low-temperature solders for specific applications can melt as low as 138°C (280°F).

Knowing the exact melting point of your solder is important because using the wrong temperature can lead to poor joints or even damage to components. In electronics, overheating can affect sensitive components, while underheating can result in weak or unreliable connections.

What is Lead-Free Solder Made of?

Lead-free solder typically contains a mixture of metals designed to mimic the properties of traditional leaded solder. The most common lead-free solder composition is a mix of tin (Sn), copper (Cu), and sometimes silver (Ag). This combination ensures a solid joint while keeping the melting point manageable.

  • Tin (Sn): The main ingredient in most solders, providing strength and flexibility.
  • Copper (Cu): Helps to enhance the mechanical strength of the solder joint.
  • Silver (Ag): Sometimes added to improve conductivity and joint strength, though this increases cost.

Lead-free solder is used to create safer work environments, particularly in industries where workers are regularly exposed to soldering fumes. It is also more environmentally friendly as it reduces the risks associated with lead contamination.

Is Tenshan Lead-Free?

Yes, most manufacturers, including Tenshan, now offer lead-free solder options in compliance with environmental standards. Lead-free solders, like those provided by Tenshan, are designed for use in various industries, ensuring safe and effective soldering without the risks associated with lead exposure.

Lead-free products from companies like Tenshan are developed to meet both performance and safety standards. These solders deliver excellent bonding capabilities without compromising the health of the workers or the environment. With the growing emphasis on eco-friendly practices, lead-free options are becoming the preferred choice for many applications.

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