Dickmann soldering technical guides: choosing alloy, format and process
The Dickmann technical guides bring together in one place the information needed to choose alloy, format and process: compositions, melting temperatures, reference standards and typical applications. They are designed for engineering departments, purchasing, EMS providers, installers and craftsmen. Start from the process you use, or from the alloy or product you know: each guide links to the related alloys and products.
In-depth technical guides
Melting temperatures of solder alloys: the complete chart
Melting points of tin and solder alloys: Sn63Pb37, Sn60Pb40, 50/50, SAC305, SAC0307, Sn-Cu, Sn97Cu3. Solidus, liquidus and working temperatures.
SAC305, SAC0307 or 99SnCuNiGe (SN100C equivalent): which lead-free alloy for wave and selective soldering
SAC305, SAC0307 and 99SnCuNiGe (SN100C equivalent) compared for wave and selective soldering: silver, melting, cost, dross and copper erosion.
IPC J-STD-004 flux classification: what ROL0, ROL1 and ROM1 mean
IPC J-STD-004 flux codes explained: base (RO, RE, OR, IN), activity (L, M, H) and halides (0, 1). ROL0, ROL1, ROM1 and what no-clean really means.
RoHS exemptions for lead: when tin-lead alloys are still permitted
When tin-lead solders are still permitted: the 0.1 % RoHS limit, excluded equipment, Annex III and IV exemptions and products outside RoHS scope.
Dross in wave soldering: causes, measurement and how to reduce it
What dross is in wave and selective solder baths, why it forms, how to measure it and reduce it with temperature, nitrogen, alloy and correct removal.
Copper erosion and bath contamination: when to change the alloy
Why copper and iron build up in wave, selective and HASL solder baths, how they affect joints and when to dilute or replace the alloy.
Tin whiskers: what they are and how to reduce the risk
What tin whiskers are, why they grow on pure tin finishes, the risks in electronics and how finishes and treatments reduce them.
Storage and shelf life of solder pastes, wires and fluxes
How to store solder paste, flux-cored wire, solid wire, bars and fluxes: temperature, humidity, expiry, opening packages and warehouse management.
Flux-cored wire: how to choose diameter, flux and alloy
How to choose flux-cored solder wire: diameter from 0.5 to 3 mm, flux percentage and class, lead-free or Sn-Pb alloy, soldering iron tip temperature.
Solder for sheet-metal work: 33 %, 40 %, 50 % or 60 %, differences and use on zinc and sheet metal
Solder for gutters, zinc and sheet metal: 33, 40, 50 and 60 % tin-lead alloys, melting range, when to use each one and how to solder zinc.
Lead-free alloys
RoHS-compliant lead-free alloys for electronics and industry
Lead-free alloys: selection guide
Overview of lead-free alloys and the right alloy for each process.
SAC305 alloy
Sn96.5/Ag3/Cu0.5, 217–220 °C: the reference alloy of the electronics industry.
Low-silver SAC0307 alloy
Sn99/Ag0.3/Cu0.7: costs less than SAC305 in wave, selective and HASL.
SAC405 alloy
4 % silver for highly stressed joints, when the specification calls for it.
Sn-Cu tin-copper alloys
Sn99.3Cu0.7 for electronics, Sn97Cu3 for copper pipes.
99SnCuNiGe (SN100C equivalent)
Silver-free Sn-Cu-Ni-Ge alloy, eutectic at 227 °C.
Leaded and special alloys
For applications where lead is still permitted
Products and formats
Wires, bars, pastes and fluxes
No-clean flux-cored wires
Flux-cored wire from 0.5 to 3 mm for hand and robotic soldering.
SMD solder pastes
AIM Solder H10, NC257-2 and M8 pastes for SMT assembly.
Liquid and gel fluxes
Alcohol-based and VOC-free no-clean fluxes for wave and selective, gel for rework.
Wave soldering bars
Lead-free and Sn-Pb Dixtra Electronic bars in 25 kg boxes.
Solid wire for selective soldering
Flux-free wire from 0.5 to 4 mm, spools from 0.25 to 4 kg.
STARLOCK® washers
Self-locking push-on washers for quick fastening on plain shafts.
Solder bath analysis
Composition and impurities of wave, selective and HASL baths, monitored over time.
Applications and processes
Alloys and materials by industry
Electronic soldering
Pastes, wires, bars and fluxes for SMT, THT, wave and selective soldering.
Automotive electronics
SAC305, SAC405 and SAC0307 with a certificate of analysis for each lot.
Selective soldering
Alloys, bars and solid wire for selective soldering machines.
HASL alloys
Lead-free and tin-lead bars for the HASL solder pots of PCB manufacturers.
Electrical engineering
Soldering and tinning of cables, cable lugs and copper braids.
Plumbing and heating
Lead-free Sn97Cu3 and Sn97Ag3 for copper pipes.
Zinc coffin liners
Hermetic soldering of coffin liners and caskets made of galvanised sheet.