3 ms·

As far as I know, many lead free solders produce more toxic smoke than leaded solder because they contain different types of flux. When soldering the leaded stu

As far as I know, many lead free solders produce more toxic smoke than leaded solder because they contain different types of flux. When soldering the leaded stuff, the lead in it doesn't get evaporated anyways. The smoke produced during soldering is mostly evaporated flux. "don't breathe the smoke" is just generally good advice, and it definitely doesn't become less applicable if you use lead free solder.

lsc 9y ago
I need citation on this idea that flux is just as toxic as lead. Being a technician, I read the MSDS: https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Can-USA%20SDS/sds-4900-4917.pdf https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Ca... vs: https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Can-USA%20SDS/sds-4860-4867.pdf https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Ca... I mean, I ain't saying you should lick either one... and yeah, I don't know how much if any lead is released into the air during normal operation, but lead is pretty seriously toxic to humans, and avoiding touching the lead as I'm using it sounds kinda difficult. The flux? yeah, that isn't any good for you either, but I don't think it's in the same category as lead when it comes to toxicity.
- taneq 9y ago
  Agreed on not licking either! I haven't been able to find anything conclusive saying how much lead you would get in the air when soldering, but the MSDS you linked says: > Soft soldering temperatures (<450 °C) are generally too low to generate significant amounts of metal vapors, however, metal oxide fumes/dust or flux decomposition fumes can occur. > RECOMMENDATION: > For frequent or prolonged soldering processes, use of a local exhaust system to avoid exposure to thermal decomposition products. For example, use fume cabinet, a hood on a flexible arm, or tip-mounted fume extraction system on the soldering iron. So if you're only occasionally soldering up a circuit board, you stay well ventilated, and you keep the solder temperature below 450°C (my soldering iron is usually set around 280°C - 300°C) then the risk seems pretty negligible. If you take up circuit board fabrication as a career then obviously you'd take it much more seriously. I should still give unleaded solder another shot, though - maybe it's improved since last time I tried it.
  - lsc 9y ago
    >So if you're only occasionally soldering up a circuit board, you stay well ventilated, and you keep the solder temperature below 450°C (my soldering iron is usually set around 280°C - 300°C) then the risk seems pretty negligible. I think the danger is in touching the lead directly; it's a soft metal and comes off on your hands to a certain extent, and my understanding is that some of the dross can end up as lead dust. According to the NIOSH, just washing with soap is often not effective for removing lead from your hands, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/safe.html https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/safe.html >I should still give unleaded solder another shot, though - maybe it's improved since last time I tried it. I'm starting to look into different formulations; I'd start with the SAC305 formulation. It's like 3.5% silver and slightly more expensive, but still cheap. and widely available. Not that I'm any good at soldering myself.

lsc 9y ago

I need citation on this idea that flux is just as toxic as lead. Being a technician, I read the MSDS: https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Can-USA%20SDS/sds-4900-4917.pdf https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Ca... vs: https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Can-USA%20SDS/sds-4860-4867.pdf https://www.mgchemicals.com/downloads/msds/01%20English%20Ca... I mean, I ain't saying you should lick either one... and yeah, I don't know how much if any lead is released into the air during normal operation, but lead is pretty seriously toxic to humans, and avoiding touching the lead as I'm using it sounds kinda difficult. The flux? yeah, that isn't any good for you either, but I don't think it's in the same category as lead when it comes to toxicity.

taneq 9y ago
Agreed on not licking either! I haven't been able to find anything conclusive saying how much lead you would get in the air when soldering, but the MSDS you linked says: > Soft soldering temperatures (<450 °C) are generally too low to generate significant amounts of metal vapors, however, metal oxide fumes/dust or flux decomposition fumes can occur. > RECOMMENDATION: > For frequent or prolonged soldering processes, use of a local exhaust system to avoid exposure to thermal decomposition products. For example, use fume cabinet, a hood on a flexible arm, or tip-mounted fume extraction system on the soldering iron. So if you're only occasionally soldering up a circuit board, you stay well ventilated, and you keep the solder temperature below 450°C (my soldering iron is usually set around 280°C - 300°C) then the risk seems pretty negligible. If you take up circuit board fabrication as a career then obviously you'd take it much more seriously. I should still give unleaded solder another shot, though - maybe it's improved since last time I tried it.
- lsc 9y ago
  >So if you're only occasionally soldering up a circuit board, you stay well ventilated, and you keep the solder temperature below 450°C (my soldering iron is usually set around 280°C - 300°C) then the risk seems pretty negligible. I think the danger is in touching the lead directly; it's a soft metal and comes off on your hands to a certain extent, and my understanding is that some of the dross can end up as lead dust. According to the NIOSH, just washing with soap is often not effective for removing lead from your hands, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/safe.html https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/safe.html >I should still give unleaded solder another shot, though - maybe it's improved since last time I tried it. I'm starting to look into different formulations; I'd start with the SAC305 formulation. It's like 3.5% silver and slightly more expensive, but still cheap. and widely available. Not that I'm any good at soldering myself.