[Boatanchors] Kester 88

[Richard Knoppow]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J. Forster" <jfor at quikus.com>
To: <WA5CAB at cs.com>
Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 2:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Kester 88


>I doubt it.
>
> Lead is pretty darn non-reactive. It's on windows that are 
> nearly 1000
> years old. It is also used to line chemical tanks and for 
> process piping.
>
> IMO, it's from somewhere in an irrational gevernment spec 
> or other...
> probably from the assumption everything must have a shelf 
> life. Like
> Teflon tubing.
>
> Best,
>
> -John

     Somewhere there must be an explanation of what exactly 
happens to solder when it ages. I note that an earlier post 
states that the shelf life of solid wire solder is 
substantially longer than cored solder. So, is it the flux 
core itself or a reacation of the metals with the core? 
This must be based on research of some sort. Does old solder 
make bad joints? What about soldered joints, do they also 
age? I think they do because we have all encountered bad 
solder joints. Usually this is blamed on poor soldering 
technique but perhaps that is not always the cause. I know 
that vibration can cause solder joints to crystalize with 
time. All the answers must lie in the technical literature 
somewhere.
     BTW, solder is also sold in ingots for use in solder 
pots, how does this compare with wire solder for aging?
     I am another that thought that solder was forever. I 
guess nothing is forever.


--
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles
WB6KBL
dickburk at ix.netcom.com