New Pb-Free solder wire from Almit Technology

Solder and materials specialist Almit Technology Ltd has announced SR37 - LFM-48S, a new formulation of its successful Pb-free solder wire specifically designed to minimise the leaching of soldering iron tips and reduce the cost of tip degradation common at higher lead-free process temperatures.

The new Almit cored solder wire is an enhanced formulation based around the company's proven Pb-free qualified SR37 flux chemistry paired with an innovative modified Sn, Ag, Cu alloy which gives the new solder wire its low-wear characteristics at the soldering iron tip.

Current Pb-free alloys typically cause iron tip wear at 300% the rate of traditional lead containing formulations. In contrast, SR37- LFM-48S is said to extend tip life by delivering degradation rates comparable to that of conventional 60Sn-40Pb alloys, giving a more efficient and stable Pb-free soldering process.

SR37- LFM-48S, shares the same soldering abilities, mechanical properties and excellent joint strength associated with Almit's existing solder alloy used for high reliability Pb-free soldering, even after heat shock tests and 3000 hours at 60deg;C and 90% RH.

Wear at the soldering iron tip is caused by erosion due to the high tin content of the lead free solder. Some iron manufacturers deploy thicker ferrous plating to give longer tip life but this reduces thermal transfer.  Higher temperatures are then employed which in turn accelerate tip wear. With the high cost of soldering iron tips, the erosion issue is a real concern and a significant consumable cost for manufacturers engaged in Pb-free hand or robotic soldering.

SR37 - LFM-48S low-leaching cored solder wire for Pb-free hand or robotic cell soldering is available now from Almit Technologies Ltd in diameters of 0.5mm to 1.6mm.