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Ask the Experts

August 20, 2012 - Updated
August 14, 2012 - Originally Posted

Mixing SAC305 and SACX0307 Solder Alloys

What is the effect of mixing solder alloys? For example mixing SAC305 and SACX0307? We have a huge inventory of SAC305 and we don't know what to do with it.

J.Z.

Expert Panel Responses

I would not recommendmixing the alloys. You maybe able to talk to your solder supplier andexchange the alloy with them.

John Norton
Eastern Manager, Vitronics Soltec

John Norton started his soldering career in 1983 for Hollis Engineering. He has also worked with Electrovert as a technical training manager and Vitronics Soltec for the last ten years. He has held various technical development and sales positions.

These alloys reallyshould not be mixed together. The benefits of the SAC305 system are alittle different than those from the SACX0307 system, and mixing the alloystogether could produce unknown side effects. If you are committed to thelow-Silver alloy (SACX0307), there are certain benefits that you should beexpecting that would be diluted if you mixed in the SAC305 alloy.Additionally, the melting temperature of the material in the solder potcould be impacted by mixing the two alloys together, which could lead to pooralloy flow and poor hole-fill as a result. The SAC305 bar solderin your inventory has value, without any doubt, and there are companies thatwill pay you for this material. I would recommend contacting your barsolder supplier and/or a metal reclaimer to see who will make you the bestoffer for your SAC305 alloy material.

Brian Smith
General Manager - Electronic Assembly Americas, DEK International

Mr. Smith has been supporting customers in the electronics assembly industry since 1994. His expertise is focused on solder paste printing and reducing soldering defects. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MBA in Marketing. He has authored several papers in trade magazines and at industry conferences. He is an SMTA Certified Process Engineer.

Theeffects are unknown because you would really never know the exact alloy you areworking with at any given time. I would recommend disposition ofyour SAC305 either by selling, disposing (return to OEM), or using in it's pureform.

Mark Waterman
M.O.L.E. Line Product Manager, Electronic Controls Design, Inc. (ECD)

Mark Waterman is a trainer and field engineer with 17 years experience in service and applications specialties. Intimate knowledge of soldering processes and measurement systems. Six sigma and statistical process control generalist.

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