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Automotive Soldering

Solder Alloys for Automotive Electronics

Lead-free alloys for ECUs, sensors and wiring harnesses, with batch documentation for Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers

Alloys for automotive electronics: SAC305, high-silver SAC405 and low-silver SAC0307, with SMD solder pastes and no-clean flux-cored wires. Per-batch analysis certificate and ISO 9001 quality system.

Why Choose Our Automotive Alloys

Specialised solutions for critical applications in the automotive industry

Consistent composition
Alloys made from metals with purity ≥ 99.9 % and checked batch by batch, for repeatable results on the line.
Alloy selection
SAC305 for general use, SAC405 when the specification requires it, SAC0307 to keep costs down in wave and selective soldering.
Batch documentation
Per-batch analysis certificate, ELV, RoHS where applicable and REACH declarations, safety data sheets. ISO 9001:2015 quality system.
For every process
Alloys for reflow, wave, selective and hand soldering: ECUs, sensors, connectors and wiring harnesses.
Open automotive control unit on a test bench

Automotive Alloy Technical Specifications

Lead-free alloys for automotive electronics

AlloyCompositionMelting PointApplication
SAC305Sn96.5/Ag3/Cu0.5217–220 °CStandard for reflow, wave and selective soldering
SAC405Sn95.5/Ag4/Cu0.5217–221 °CMore silver, when the specification requires it
SAC0307Sn99/Ag0.3/Cu0.7217–227 °CLow silver, contained cost in wave and selective soldering
Sn99.3Cu0.7Sn99.3/Cu0.7227 °CSilver-free, for wiring and non-critical components

Automotive Application Sectors

Specialised applications for the automotive industry

Control Units and ECUs

Soldering of engine control units, ABS, airbag and control systems. High-reliability alloys for critical components.

Sensors and Actuators

Electronic components for temperature, pressure and position sensors. Resistance to vibration and thermal shock.

Safety Systems

Modules for airbag, ABS, ESP and ADAS, where the customer's specification defines the alloy and documentation.

Connectors and Wiring

Electrical connectors, terminals and wiring systems. Resistance to corrosion and mechanical stress.

Automotive Alloys: Which One to Choose?

Comparison of solutions for different automotive applications

ApplicationRecommended AlloyAdvantagesNotes
Specifications that prescribe SAC405SAC405More silver, higher costThermal cycling similar to SAC305
General electronicsSAC305Industry standardThe most widely used choice
High-volume wave and selective solderingSAC0307Lower cost than SAC305Non-critical THT components
Wiring and connectorsSn99.3Cu0.7Silver-freeTinning of conductors

The alloy must be chosen according to the customer's specification and the process: SAC305 for general use, SAC405 when the specification requires it, SAC0307 and Sn99.3Cu0.7 to keep costs down. Consult us for the choice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Automotive Soldering

Answers to the most common questions about alloys for automotive

SAC305 is the standard. SAC405 is used when the specification requires it; SAC0307 reduces cost in wave and selective soldering of non-critical components.

Per-batch analysis certificate, declarations of conformity with the ELV Directive 2000/53/EC, with RoHS where applicable and with REACH, and safety data sheets. Dickmann operates an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality system.

AEC-Q qualification applies to electronic components, not to alloys. Joint reliability depends on the alloy, the process and the board design, and is validated by the board manufacturer according to its own specifications.

SAC405 contains 4 % silver versus 3 % in SAC305: higher cost and similar thermal cycling performance. It is used when the specification requires it. The melting range is almost identical.

For most modules the standard lead-free alloys of industrial electronics are used; under the hood or with severe thermal cycling the specification may call for high-reliability alloys, such as AIM pastes in REL22 alloy. Batch-to-batch consistency of composition and the documentation also matter.

Bars and solid wire do not degrade if stored in a dry place. For flux-cored wire and solder pastes, the conditions and times given in the technical data sheet apply.

Yes, each batch comes with a chemical analysis certificate, with traceability of the production batch.

Request Advice for Your Automotive Application

Compare SAC305, SAC405 and SAC0307, or find out about our ISO 9001 quality system. Request a quotation for your line.

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