How is Solder Made? Learn the Process & Its Benefits

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SUMMARY

Solder is primarily an alloy of tin and lead, commonly represented as Sn60Pb40, which consists of 60% tin and 40% lead. The soldering process involves melting these metals and mixing them to create a liquid that joins electronic components such as LEDs, wires, and PCBs. Flux, an acid added to solder, removes oxides to ensure a strong bond. While leaded solder is preferred for its ease of use, many manufacturers are transitioning to lead-free alternatives due to health concerns, which require higher melting temperatures and different soldering techniques.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of solder composition, specifically Sn60Pb40 solder
  • Knowledge of soldering techniques and tools, including soldering irons
  • Familiarity with electronic components like LEDs, PCBs, and transformers
  • Awareness of safety protocols when working with hazardous materials like lead and flux
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between leaded and lead-free soldering techniques
  • Learn about the properties and applications of flux in soldering
  • Explore the process of electrolytic plating for safer metal extraction
  • Investigate the health risks associated with soldering and proper ventilation practices
USEFUL FOR

Electronics engineers, hobbyists in soldering and circuit assembly, and anyone involved in manufacturing or repairing electronic devices will benefit from this discussion.

TNUTUNU
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Hello
How does solder is build what is inside it how engineer build it at high temperature it melt what is that liquid how it join two LEDs together and it join all wires,led,transformer,SMPS, regulator,IC,PCB
how to learn it
How LED emit energy in form of Good colors that are in all direction going to people eyes than brain understand it what is there from far all crowd go there as ask what you have and buy it.
after that LED color are not damage sing eyes.
How to build 100000000 of led dispaly
 
Last edited:
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Wow. So many questions.
TNUTUNU said:
How does solder is build what is inside it how engineer build it at high temperature it melt what is that liquid
Solder is an alloy of tin and lead.
TNUTUNU said:
how to learn it
learn what?o_O
 
Solder is an alloy of tin and lead.
How to build solder from it
 
TNUTUNU said:
How to build solder from it
Well, you melt lead and tin, than you mix them, then you got solder
TNUTUNU said:
How LED emit energy in form of Good colors that are in all direction going to people eyes than brain understand it what is there from far all crowd go there as ask what you have and buy it.
Well, I can't understand what you are talking about.
TNUTUNU said:
after that LED color are not damage sing eyes.
How to build 100000000 of led dispaly
And this one too.
 
TNUTUNU said:
How does solder is build what is inside it how engineer build it at high temperature it melt what is that liquid how it join two LEDs together and it join all wires,led,transformer,SMPS, regulator,IC,PCB
how to learn it
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solder
TNUTUNU said:
How LED emit energy in form of Good colors that are in all direction going to people eyes than brain understand it what is there from far all crowd go there as ask what you have and buy it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode
TNUTUNU said:
How to build 100000000 of led dispaly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplexed_display

Google and Wikipedia are your friends! :smile:
 
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Hello
What is this Sn60Pb40 solder
 
TNUTUNU said:
What is this Sn60Pb40 solder
Solder with 60 percent tin and 40 percent lead
Sn = tin
Pb = lead
 
Hello
it mean tin and lead melt and make solder (join wire leds)
where tin and lead are found
 
There are companies that mix tin and lead to make solder. They also add an acid called flux. Solder does not stick to oxide. Flux remove the oxide.

Here is a video that explains how to solder...

 
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  • #10
CWatters said:
They also add an acid called flux
Acid core solder. Or resin core.
That is like the caramel bar ( remember the ad, how did they get the caramel in the caramel bar ? )
How did they get the core in the solder wire.?
A quick search turned nothing up.
But an extrusion process would be the guess.
 
  • #11
Note a lot of solder is now 'lead free'. I grew up with the 'leaded' stuff, now struggle to make reliable joints...
 
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  • #12
Nik_2213 said:
Note a lot of solder is now 'lead free'. I grew up with the 'leaded' stuff, now struggle to make reliable joints...
Agree. Although lead is toxic,I really like solders with lead.They just flow so nicely on the joint, way better than lead free ones, and lead free ones are actually harder to get in my area than leaded ones.(I have no idea for why that happens)
 
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  • #13
TNUTUNU said:
Hello
it mean tin and lead melt and make solder (join wire leds)
where tin and lead are found
Is it your intention to mine the tin and lead ores yourself, smelt them down and alloy the metals into solder so that you can affix LED's to a display in front of the nuclear plant that you intend to similarly construct from scratch?
 
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  • #14
Nik_2213 said:
Note a lot of solder is now 'lead free'. I grew up with the 'leaded' stuff, now struggle to make reliable joints...

Well, lead free solder melts at a higher temperature so you either need an adjustable iron or hotter tips in the case of Weller or a different iron for lead free. In doing electrical work. I still use eutectic lead solder. I just think it is easier to work with lead solder and eutectic is reported to not develop tin whiskers so I know it’s less likely to develop shorts etc over time.
 
  • #15
+1

Lead solder and good ventilation works for me. Much prefer it to lead free. With lead free I've had problems with the joint not wetting, as if the flux in the core wasn't working properly.
 
  • #16
Tin and Lead are found in various minerals. examples: Tin in Cassiterite as Tin Oxide, Lead in Cerussite as Lead carbonate (from memory). Tin and Lead are extremely poisonous metals and their minerals are associated with very high levels of arsenic. Both minerals can be smelted by reduction but is extremely hazardous, likely to result in your death on the 1st attempt due to poisonous vapours. Usually it's done by electrolytic plating these days which is much safer and can process sulphide minerals that can't be smelted. This uses very strong acids to dissolve the minerals and still carries a serious vapour hazard. Don't mess with this, Seriously! Smelters are about the most hazardous work places there are and worker health issues abound regardless of safety protocols. The hazards cannot be overstated. Just stay away from this, it's not worth it.
 
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  • #17
Um, tin is minimally hazardous, its use in 'tinning' steel food cans attests to that. But, removing associated arsenic, sulphides, fluorides etc from the ore really is dangerous. IIRC, roasting the ore with ample ventilation was the traditional approach. Be NOT downwind of such...
 
  • #18
It is still hazardous if heated beyond a certain point though. When heated, it can even react with and contaminate food but yes it is a relatively low hazard at normal temperatures. It is not a good idea to habitually heat food in the tin.
 

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