Both copper and iron have been used to transfer heat from the source (flame or electric heater) to the joint. Iron is very durable and holds a fair bit of heat (specific heat capacity of 0.46 J/g-K), while copper (specific heat capacity of 0.385 J/g-K) won't contaminate an electrical joint. Iron (IIRC) requires special techniques to make the solder wet the surface, too. Copper wets pretty easily so the heat transfer is easier to effect.
My father had a soldering iron that was iron; used it to sweat copper pipes when building the house. As well as an alcohol blowlamp.
HTH,
Donald.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stefan Trethan" <stefan_trethan@...>
To: "Homebrew PCBs" <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 4:38:05 AM (GMT-0500) Auto-Detected
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: SMD soldering
BELL SYSTEM PRACTICES
Plant Series
SECTION 075-160-301
Issue 2, August, 1961
AT&TCo Standard
SCREWDRIVERS
SELECTION, USE AND MAINTENANCE
<http://www.telephonecollectors.org/DocumentLibrary/BSPs/075Division/075-160-301.pdf>
Quote:
<Do not stick a screwdriver in either the
flame of a furnace or torch, or a pot of hot
solder, as this will destroy the temper of the tool.
Never use a screwdriver as a substitute for a
soldering copper.>
This is the only reference to a soldering copper I have ever seen, but
it immediately caught my eye since I always thought iron is the wrong
name.
Anyway, it's just odd that they would use a name that doesn't appear
to exist anywhere else.
ST
On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 9:54 AM, AD5VJ Bob <rtnmi@...> wrote:
> No not sure, it has been a while. Could have been copper though I know it heated up really fast and stayed that way for quiet a
> while.
>
> Bob AD5VJ
------------------------------------
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