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Lead free solder on microcontrollers
(lemm.ee)
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this post was submitted on 11 Jun 2024
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Thank you very much for answering.
I believe the pcb is lead free as I got it from jlcpcb and they have it written in the package of each side that they’re lead free. The solder itself is also lead free from a reputable electronic store near where I live so I think it should be safe. I live in an apartment so it will be tricky to do it outside, I may try to solder it where my cooktop is as I can turn on the range hood to suck the bad air up.
Do I need to clean the flux that comes with the solder or it’s not that big of a deal? I’d expect that touching it when dry would be safe as well right?
The problem with flux is that it is corrosive. If you use just the flux in the solder it shouldn't be much of a deal, but if you use more flux I recommend washing it off.
I use 99.9% Isopropanol or an ultrasonic cleaner with water for this. If you use water do not use soap or anything else just water. Also make sure it is completely dry before connecting to power.
Oh. Thanks. I’ll use the flux in the solder only. I’m quite a noob at that so I just got the soldering iron and the solder. I will see about getting the alcohol and use a toothbrush to clean it off after.
Look at your solder spool, and see if it says multi-core? If you're not sure go ahead and show us a photo or write out the type of solder you're using.
You need flux and solder together, flux prevents the board from oxidizing especially when you heat it up, it makes it easier for the metal to flow. A lot of solder has the flux built into the solder itself. When you put a hot soldering iron up to the solder and you see the smoke, the smoke is the flux, the antioxidation element not the metal. The metal does not smoke
If you're using flux in addition to your solder, like a flux paste or a flux gel or a flux liquid you brush on, that's fine too. Just don't breathe the fumes.
If you have a real n95 or n100 mask kicking around, wear that, do your soldering next to an open window or under your vent hood, let it keep venting after you're done for a couple minutes. And wash your hands and you'll be fine
The solder I’m using is this one: https://www.jaycar.com.au/lead-free-solder-1mm-15g-hobby-tube/p/NS3092?pos=1&queryId=f28fc8a65a86eab148b5f9ae9b304dcc
This is the description:
1mm lead free resin core solder. Contains tin and copper 99.3/0.07
Thanks again for the advice. I’ll wear a mask when soldering.
Anytime! It looks good. Have fun making your keyboard!
Lot of good points here. I work in electronics manufacturing so I'll add on a bit. Yes, much of what has been explained about solder and flux is correct. I will caution about trying something like conformal coating a board in this setting. It is hard to work through and can beat up your iron. Lead free is great but sucks for working it into the joints. It just doesn't heatt the same. Even IPC build standards have explicit instructions about visual inspections of non leaded joints looking like shit.
If you are planning to coat the board, I would do outdoors as well. Extraction fans are great for general soldering but we use fume hoods for conformal coat. Just something to keep in mind.