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Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not?

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not?

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We will be receiving our lead free wave solder machine soon ... - May 11, 2006 by tnop

In all fairness no one has the answer for you, non of the le... - May 11, 2006 by Patrick Bruneel

The kester better known as KY'd Sn/Cu has more copper interm... - May 12, 2006 by Steve

Steve, Thank you very much for your reply. What I really ne... - May 12, 2006 by tnop

Steve, You're asking the right questions, don�t listen to... - May 12, 2006 by Patrick Bruneel

Sometimes when I go fishing i'll use lead on the end of the ... - May 12, 2006 by

In an attempt to re-establish this thread as a serious reque... - May 15, 2006 by tnop

Tim, call kester and ask for references who better than them... - May 15, 2006 by RDR

Take some of your boards along & run them. Try the same wit... - May 16, 2006 by Rob

tnop

#41480

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not? | 11 May, 2006

We will be receiving our lead free wave solder machine soon and I have been doing a lot of reading here. I've seen many dicussions about SAC vs. SN100C for wave applications and am leaning heavily towards the SN100C for my process. I haven't seen any discussion about Kester's new entry of their K100 product. I can't even find much info on the web elsewhere. The Kester site describes it as "near eutectic" with .6% copper plus "dopants" to give added characteristics such as shiny joints, low drossing etc...no mention of nickel. Our upper management likes the deal that our local rep is offering for the K100 product, but I'm hesitant to offer support for it due to lack of evidence that it works as well as SN100C. It sure would be great to hear some reviews or discussion from others who may have tried this material, or have heard anything more about it. This is my first post here. What a great forum, thanks.

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Patrick Bruneel

#41491

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not? | 11 May, 2006

In all fairness no one has the answer for you, non of the lead-free alloys has been long enough in use or have supporting long-term reliability data. No matter what alloy you will use, your company will be at risk, that�s why so many exemptions are added on daily bases. Hard data on field failures is forthcoming, and I can predict (from experience)that the failures will not be directly related to a specific lead-free alloy but due to the absence of lead in the alloy.

Its hard to compare a new technology arising overnight and driven by sales people, with the leaded technology consisting of over 30 years of experience and data collection with clean cut norms and standards.

Good luck Pat

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Steve

#41512

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not? | 12 May, 2006

The kester better known as KY'd Sn/Cu has more copper intermetallic growth over time, dissolves copper from the board faster so repairing and touchup can damage board. Bridges more than SN100c. Does not thermal cycle well. Has shrink cracks that can lead to failures. Just to mention a few.

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tnop

#41518

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not? | 12 May, 2006

Steve, Thank you very much for your reply. What I really need to know now is how you discovered these issues. Did you run this product in your wave solder machine, and for how long? Are you now using SN100c instead? Please mention the other issues if you don't mind. The K100LD (low drossing) spec sheet claims a lower copper dissolution rate than SN100c. Please understand that I am not questioning your comments, but you gave no indication of whether they were from your own personal experience or not.

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Patrick Bruneel

#41519

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not? | 12 May, 2006

Steve,

You're asking the right questions, don�t listen to sales pitch and stick with the facts. But you're in for a tough ride with lead-free because there is just not enough data and experience with the lead-free alloys as of yet. Every month you hear of a new miracle alloy. I believe there are now about 30 lead-free alloys out there and even more patents pending. Anyway when they get to the 50th alloy I hope the industry will get the point. You still remember how many alloys we got a couple of years ago?

Ok enough for today I don't want to end up at the bottom of the lake with lead-free ingots in my pockets.

Have a great weekend Patrick

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Ola

#41520

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not? | 12 May, 2006

Sometimes when I go fishing i'll use lead on the end of the line, just above the hook, so that the bait is going to the bottom or at least very deep into the lake. At work however, lead is a non wanted product. Well, I don't mix work and pleaure...

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tnop

#41537

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not? | 15 May, 2006

In an attempt to re-establish this thread as a serious request for professional experience and opinions on the Kester K100LD product, let me ask again!..... Have any of you professionals out there tried this product and if so, what was your experience with it? Has it been considered by anyone out there, and has anyone formed any opinions on the product and if so, based on what criteria? Although Kester is a trusted supplier, I am very concerned about using a product that is untested in the field.

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RDR

#41540

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not? | 15 May, 2006

Tim, call kester and ask for references who better than them to tell you who is using.

Russ

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Rob

#41549

Is anyone using K100 bar solder? Why or why not? | 16 May, 2006

Take some of your boards along & run them. Try the same with the other alloys and see which suits your products best (make sure you make a note of the fluxes being used, and if the machines have similar preheats, nitrogen etc than yours).

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