Toni -

A good portion of the US electronics industry is currently working to
ANSI/J-STD-001B and its ancillaries.  This document gives a guideline for
230-290C for solder bath operating temperatures.  The 215C that you mention
would seem quite low for most soldering processes using Sn60, Sn62 or Sn63
solder, unless in a vapor phase system.

Determination of actual soldering temperatures is generally made by the
Manufacturing/Process Engineer responsible for the product.  This will involve
development of a preheat profile which ramps up to a temperature to trigger
the flux activators and elevate the product temperature sufficiently to avoid
thermal shock to its components.  In many cases, parts manufacturers will
provide time and temperature limitations for their parts.  This data also has
to be factored into the profile.  The most successful profile is often the one
that does the soldering job in the least amount of time.

Profiles which dwell too long at lower temperatures can result in damage to
boards and components.

Regards - Kelly

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