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What is solder?

Jacklake net 2014-12-23 18:21:19
Solder is an alloy (mixture) of tin and lead, typically 60% tin and 40% lead. It melts at a temperature of about 200°C. Coating a surface with solder is called ‘tinning’ because of the tin content of solder. Lead is poisonous and you should always wash your hands after using solder. 

Solder for electronics use contains tiny cores of flux, like the wires inside a mains flex. The flux is corrosive, like an acid, and it cleans the metal surfaces as the solder melts. This is why you must melt the solder actually on the joint, not on the iron tip. Without flux most joints would fail because metals quickly oxidise and the solder itself will not flow properly onto a dirty, oxidised, metal surface. 

The best size of solder for electronic circuit boards is 22swg (swg = standard wire gauge). 

For plugs, component holders and other larger joints you may prefer to use 18swg solder.