[sdiy] RoHS/Pb wetting/wicking (Was: Re: Boycott Mouser and ROHS)

[Ian Fritz]

At 05:32 PM 8/14/2006, mcb, inc. wrote:

>Wanted to confirm an impression I'm getting.  I've done a few
>RoHS-compliant board/component sets with Pb solder now.  I build
>in an RF-style with flush or nearly flush solder-side leads,
>no filets, and thorough wetting and wicking of solder into the
>component lead holes.  It seems that the Pb/RoHS combination
>doesn't wet quite as well.  Increased heat on the Pb solder seems
>to improve things but it doesn't have quite the same wicking
>action as Pb/Pb.  Is this my jingoistic imagination or is this real?

It's real.  And if you look at the manufacturers' spec sheets you will see 
they claim something like 90% wetability.

Pre-tinning the component leads while gently rubbing the iron against them 
seems to help.  Pain, though.

   Ian