What Difference Does Solder Make?

[theroan]

Why does lead matter, I'm in the dark here.

 

[th0rr]

Without the lead the solder tends to whisker. I do not know how big a deal it is for amps but for components that are very, very close together it can be a very big deal due to shorts. Here is a brief write up with a picture of the whiskers.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/apr/03/research.engineering?gusrc=rss&feed=technology

 

[Nermel]

^^^^ Thumbs Up...much better

 

[Iconoclysm]

The obvious question here is, how close are the solderings in a Mark V? I've never opened mine, but from what I've seen in my rectifier, they're so far apart that whiskering could almost never cause an issue.

 

[Nermel]

Duplicate post

 

[Nermel]

The obvious question here is, how close are the solderings in a Mark V? I've never opened mine, but from what I've seen in my rectifier, they're so far apart that whiskering could almost never cause an issue.

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=37070

It is a bit crowded in there...but i don't think it will be all that much of a problem...MB has been ROHS compliant for about 5 years now (approx)

Ah and this is a helpful link...outlines pros, cons, etc:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restriction_of_Hazardous_Substances_Directive#Criticism

 

[Iconoclysm]

Yeah, look at the distance between that stuff, the type of whiskering we're fearing is what would affect a watch or a very tightly spaced motherboard...where the solderings are practically on top of one another. You could put another soldering between these solderings and still have room for another one compared to those applications.

 

[Nermel]

Apparently a lot of companies, like motorola, who make micro devices and such, actually like the new solder better, saying it allows for tighter tolerances...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restriction_of_Hazardous_Substances_Directive#Flow_properties_and_assembly

 

[smd24fan]

Just my opinion. I work for a defense contractor and we design and manufacture some VERY elaborate systems with some very dense circuit cards inside. I cannot point to any failure or issues with this "whiskering" condition. It's not to say it does not, or can not, happen. We have put, literally, tens of thousands of systems in the field that ALL have lead free solder in them. Most companies that are building electronics today are RoHS compliant. Some of the parts I deal with on a daily basis make the inside of the Mk. V look spacious. I think we will all be fine, but that is just my opinion.

 

[Don]

Non issue as far as our amps are concerned.