Re: gEDA-user: Tin pest

[Marvin Dickens <marvindickens@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Karel Kulhavy wrote:
> On Tue, Jan 31, 2006 at 10:36:55AM -0500, Marvin Dickens wrote:
>   
> > Karel Kulhavy wrote:
> >     
> > > It looks like lead free solder may disintegrate after 1.5 year when
> > > exposed to cold weather. This may be serious issue with electronics
> > > stored or used outdoor in winter.
> > >
> > > http://materials.open.ac.uk/srg/srg_tp.htm
> > > http://www.indium.com/drlasky/files/TinPestPaper0723Final.pdf
> > > http://ap.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=Articles&Subsection=Display&ARTICLE_ID=216209
> > > http://www.smartgroup.org/pdf/tinpest.pdf
> > > http://www.semiconfareast.com/pbfree.htm
> > >
> > > Anyone has first-hand experience or can comment competently on the
> > > issue?
> > >
> > > What are actual health hazards of soldering with Sn-Pb solder? 
> > >       
> > The health concerns of soldering go beyond the type of metals that 
> > compose the alloy the solder
> > is made out of.  Another major concern (Just as important) are the fumes 
> > from the flux that is used.
> > Over time, they _can_ be deadly.
> >     
>
> I am using rosin. That's part of pine pitch. If you make bonfire, then
> the same substance burns as well. Is bonfire over time deadly as well?
>   
The rosin in solder has been refined to remove some naturally occuring 
chemicals and
further, it has been reduced to concentrate it. As a refined 
concentrate, rosin has been
known to cause perminiant damage to the lungs. There is a lot of info on 
the web
especially out of Europe regading this topic. You can find easy by googling.

Best

Marvin