Sb used to be added to solders up to 0.5% because it was thought to improve
wetting. That's the official explanation. Refer to obsolete US Military
specification QQS571 and UK specification BS219 in their 1970s/1980s
versions.
Actually it was probably more to do with the source of solders and lead in
those days. Sb was added to lead and printing type metals (then a major use
of Sn/Pb alloys to harden them. It was actually quite difficult to get non
antimonial metal for electronics use! We have echoes of those times still in
"we supply virgin grade" claims. It had no real benefit then for wave
soldering and none at all that I know of in SMT reflow.
Regards
Mike
Mike Fenner, Technical Manager
Indium Corporation
Europe
Mob: + 44 7810 526 317
Skype: mike.fenner
Tel: + 44 1908 580 400
Fax: + 44 1908 580 411
www.indium.com
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Indium Corporation
Incorporated in New York, USA
Registered office: (Not for correspondence)
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* Please think before you print
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Graham Collins
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 3:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Antimony in solder
Hi Technet
A solder question today. What is the technical difference in using a
solder alloy containing .2% to .5% antimony (Sn63Pb37Sb.4A) versus using
standard eutectic SN63PB37 solder? Reliability implications? Easier to
solder or inspect?
Thanks!
Graham Collins
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