Tips for Lead-Free Hand Soldering

Because hand soldering tends to be done at the end of the line, where the value of a board is at its highest, switching to lead-free solder may have a significant effect on your manufacturing yields, costs and productivity. Simply increasing tip temperature is not the answer because it can cause flux to evaporate before it's had time to activate.

The keys to success here are tip shape, tip condition, the soldering iron's power output and it's time on the joint. By choosing the tip shape closest to the component you're soldering, and always selecting the largest tip, you'll transfer heat more efficiently at lower settings.

Since lead-free solder's higher tin content erodes the tip's iron plating faster, Ultratip's thicker iron plating will significanty extend the tip life. Cleaning your tips often and immediately re-tinning them will also keep them in top condition longer.