[Elecraft] Solder Question...

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron and all,

Yes. eutectic metals have no plastic state.  The avoidance of the plastic
state
was the stated incentive for IBM to make the switch (for repair work - as
opposed to automated assembly) from 60/40 to 63/37 solder back around 1965
or so.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message (excerpt)-----

I wasn't aware of that, Don. Have they managed to develop a compound that
avoids the plastic state altogether?

Eutectic (also?) means that the melting temperature of the alloy is lower
than the melting temperature of any of its components. In this case, the
melting temperature of solder is lower than the melting temperature of
either lead or tin alone.