In message , Jeff
writes
60/40 solder is no longer officially sold in the UK but may still be
available at rallys.


That is not correct solder with a lead content is still permissible for the
repair of existing equipment.


A month ago, they were selling small quantities of 60/40 solder at
(effectively) very high prices at the Heighley Gate garden centre, near
Morpeth (Northumberland).
http://www.heighleygate.com
http://www.pb-free.info/rohsexemptions.htm
--
Ian

I'm surprised that 60/40 solder is apparently so common. For a very long
time I've used 63/37, which is eutectic. This means it has the lowest
melting point temperature for that combination of metals, but more
importantly, it has no plastic state. It goes abruptly from liquid
directly to solid as it cools.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

"Roy Lewallen" wrote in message
...

For a very long
time I've used 63/37, which is eutectic. This means it has the lowest
melting point temperature for that combination of metals, but more
importantly, it has no plastic state. It goes abruptly from liquid
directly to solid as it cools.

I have some of this and grab it occasionally. It _seems_ that it does not
flow quite so readily as the 60/40. This may be my imagination or perhaps
an issue of external flux being needed. Comments?

Sal M. Onella wrote:
"Roy Lewallen" wrote in message
...

For a very long
time I've used 63/37, which is eutectic. This means it has the lowest
melting point temperature for that combination of metals, but more
importantly, it has no plastic state. It goes abruptly from liquid
directly to solid as it cools.

I have some of this and grab it occasionally. It _seems_ that it does not
flow quite so readily as the 60/40. This may be my imagination or perhaps
an issue of external flux being needed. Comments?

Sounds to me like your 63/37 might contain a less activated flux.
There's a lot of variation among fluxes.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL