Solder Wire | Lead Free Solder | RS
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    Solder

    Solder, or solder wire, is a fusible metal alloy with a low temperature melting point used to permanently join two metals that have a higher melting point. Soldering is a process commonly used in the electronics industry for PCBs and electronics components, jewellery manufacturing and pipework in plumbing, with the majority of soldering carried out through the use of a soldering iron.

    Our range of solder wire contains products from industry leaders like Felder Lottechnik, MBO, Multicore, Weller and RS PRO, with a variety of wire diameters (ranging from 0.23mm to 7mm) and lead content (0% to 70%).

    What is solder made of?

    The alloys used in solder vary depending on the manufacturer and the intended application, as different applications require different materials.

    Soft solder is commercially available at varying concentrations of tin, ranging from 5% to 70%. Higher percentages of tin provide greater tensile strength, with a 60/40 balance being a popular composition.

    Lead-free solder is also available, created due to the call to remove or reduce hazardous materials in consumer electronics, which often has a lower melting point than lead-based alloys. Lead-free solder wire may contain copper, zinc, tin, silver, bismuth, antimony and/or traces of other materials depending on its intended use.

    What is flux?

    In order to prevent the oxidation of the metal alloy and ensure a strong electrical connection and high mechanical strength, soldering wire contains a flux, which can be made of different materials. A flux is a chemical agent that will help to reduce metal oxides (return oxidised metals to their original state) and seal out air from the join, preventing any further oxidation.

    There are two main types of flux: acid/active, which contains strong acids and is used in plumbing and metal mending, and rosin/passive, which is used in electronics.

    What forms of solder are there?

    The majority of solder comes in wire form, with a range of wire diameters available to suit various applications and joints. Solder granules are ideal for soldering machines and tinning crucibles, but these small pellets of solder popular for jewellery making too. Paste solder is ideal for use in printed circuit boards (PCBs) and connecting surface mount electronic components. It is a sticky paste which is applied to a board by printing or painting.

    285 Products showing for Solder

    Multicore
    C400
    0.7mm
    0%
    Wire
    217°C
    3.8%
    95.5%
    Halogen Free
    500g
    3%
    0.7%
    Multicore
    362
    0.56mm
    36%
    Wire
    179°C
    2%
    62%
    Activated Rosin
    250g
    3%
    -
    Felder Lottechnik
    ISO-Core RA
    1mm
    93%
    Wire
    296°C
    2%
    5%
    Rosin Based
    250g
    2.5%
    -
    MBO
    -
    -
    0%
    Stick
    217°C
    0.3%
    99%
    -
    -
    -
    0.7%
    Felder Lottechnik
    ISO-Core EL
    1.5mm
    40%
    Wire
    183°C
    -
    60%
    Rosin Based
    250g
    3.5%
    -
    MBO
    -
    -
    40%
    Stick
    183°C
    -
    60%
    -
    -
    -
    -
    MBO
    SN60 PB
    1mm
    40%
    Wire
    183°C
    -
    60%
    Rosin
    100g
    2%
    -
    CHIPQUIK
    SMD2SW.031 8OZ
    0.8mm
    40%
    Wire
    183-188°C
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Felder Lottechnik
    ISO-Core RA
    2mm
    40%
    Wire
    183°C
    -
    60%
    Rosin Based
    250g
    2.5%
    -
    CHIPQUIK
    SMDSWLF.008
    0.2mm
    0%
    Wire
    217-220°C
    3%
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Felder Lottechnik
    ISO-Core EL
    1.5mm
    40%
    Wire
    183°C
    -
    60%
    Rosin Based
    500g
    3.5%
    -
    Felder Lottechnik
    ISO-Core RA
    1mm
    0%
    Wire
    227°C
    -
    99.3%
    Rosin Based
    100g
    2.5%
    0.7%
    CK
    T6052 52
    2mm
    -
    Wire
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    Multicore
    362
    1.2mm
    0%
    Wire
    227°C
    -
    99.3%
    Water Wash
    250g
    3%
    0.7%
    Felder Lottechnik
    ISO-Core RA
    0.5mm
    36%
    Wire
    179°C
    2%
    62%
    Rosin Based
    250g
    2.5%
    -
    Multicore
    C511
    1.2mm
    0%
    Wire
    227°C
    -
    99.3%
    Activated Rosin
    500g
    3%
    0.7%
    Felder Lottechnik
    ISO-Core Clear Sn100Ni+
    0.75mm
    0%
    Wire
    227°C
    -
    99.3%
    -
    250g
    3.5%
    0.7%
    Felder Lottechnik
    ISO-Core EL
    1mm
    36%
    Wire
    179°C
    2%
    62%
    Rosin Based
    250g
    3.5%
    -
    Multicore
    C511
    0.7mm
    40%
    Wire
    183 → 188°C
    -
    60%
    Halogen Free
    500g
    3%
    -
    Weller
    WSW SC M1
    1.2mm
    0%
    Wire
    228°C
    0%
    99.3%
    M1
    500g
    3.5%
    0.7%
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