I have never used the modern lead free solder. I see it is mainly tin, but has copper in it as. Well. Can I use this solder to add a little tin to my lead, or is there something in it to make it unsuitable.
I have never used the modern lead free solder. I see it is mainly tin, but has copper in it as. Well. Can I use this solder to add a little tin to my lead, or is there something in it to make it unsuitable.
Yes, you can use it. The odd 5% of other stuff won't hurt anything.
I've used it. no problems, way I look at it if there is a bit of copper, good, it might just add a little hardness to the mix
as lightman said the amount of other (copper or whatever) is so diluted as to be closer to non-existent. Assuming 5% copper in your tin solder is mixed at a rate of 2% with the 98% of your lead alloy, the percent of copper would be something like .1% of your total alloy or another way, 99.9% alloy plus 0.1% copper. (I think...?)
Pretty sure my math isn't accurate, but it's close enough to help visualize it don't matter at all. Anyone with basic math skills want to check my math?
Last edited by oley55; 09-19-2021 at 07:34 PM.
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Thank you, fellas. That’s what I needed to know.
I have an old roll of 95/5 solder where the non tin 5% is antimony, though I think the copper versions are newer and more common.
Lots of casters get their tin from pewter, which often contains copper at a 1-2% concentration. No effects on alloy characteristics that I know of other than the aforementioned minor increase in alloy toughness.
So the only downsides I know to using lead free solder as a tin source are that some contain acid or rosin fluxes that have to be dealt with, and that it's hideously expensive if bought retail.
5% Cu adds a bit of "toughness" to your melt....does not hurt at all. There are much cheaper sources of Sn that lead-free solder. But if that is all you can find, go for it. Just make sure it is not acid core!
95/5 was my 'go to' source for Tin in the old days when a 1lb. roll of it was $6. at Home Depot
and my Plumber buddies would give me several partial rolls that were dirty from floating around in their truck tool boxes.
Now days, the same roll is around $30-35. and the Plumbers seem to be somewhat more 'conservative' with it.
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Have found 95/5 at flea markets twice in the last 6 months. $1.00 a pound or less.
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BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
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