Soldering, (pronounced sod-der-ing) is similar to welding. Â Soldering differs from welding as welding involves melting two metals together, where soldering is the melting of metal to attach it or something to something else. Â Soldering is a process of melting metal (called solder, but pronounced "sod-der") that can be composed of various types of metal (Tin, Lead, Copper, Silver, Antimony, Gold, Bismuth, Indium, Zinc). Â Soldering is performed on jewelry, plumbing (copper pipe), cabling or wires, and on electronics, mostly for connecting components on a (PCB) printed circuit board.
Soldering irons are the hand tools that generate the heat to melt the solder. Â Soldering irons are also known as soldering guns, soldering tools, soldering pencil, or soldering handpieces. Â Soldering irons can vary in shapes and sizes and generally can have their tips removed and replaced. Â Inexpensive and basic soldering irons have a power cord attached to the soldering iron for ease of use, but lack in the ability to make adjustments to temperature or power intensity. Â
Temperature is important as solder element content melts at different temperatures. Â For example, a very common solder is Sn63 Pb37. Â Â All the numbers must add up to 100, being 100%. Â The two letters in this example represent the element on the periodic table of elements. Â Sn being Tin and Pb being Lead. Â So a 63% Tin and 37% Lead solder melts at 361 Degrees F (183 Degrees C). Â Sn60Pb40 melts at 361 Degrees F - 374 Degrees F. Â Sn50Pb50 melts at 361?F - 419 Degrees F. Â The higher the tin concentration, the greater the tensile and shear strengths. Â Lead Free Solder, which is ROHS Compliant, generally melts in the range of 441 Degrees F.