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[Martin_1962]

Not saying where in case the government are reading this.

But is it illegal?

[HolyCount]

probably -- just about everything else is !

[Marks DTM Calib]

Not saying where in case the government are reading this.

But is it illegal?

Yes, still more than legal to buy as its required for electronic repair work, probably got a naff non rosin flux though!

On copper piping etc you can use it on Gas and not water.

[Ken T]

Not if it's used to rework some pre lead free product, else you would end up with a mix that couldn't be disposed of in either leaded or lead free dumps. Mind you, using leaded solder means it will last a lot longer.   Its also allowed in applications where reliability is paramount, hence the MOD don't like Pb free.  

Ken

[Martin_1962]

Well keyfobs will get it!

Try Hobbycraft stores if stuck!

[Marks DTM Calib]

Lead free solder joints properly made have the same life span as leaded.

We are currently still producing and shipping lead in solder units and will be until mid 2010 (at the latest) as the comms industry has an exemption.

[Ken T]

Yes, that's why HP are having a massive motherboard replacement campaign on laptops that are about 18months old. Their introduction nicely ties in with the introduction of Pb free. They are trying all sorts of tricks like epoxying the BGA's down to stop them moving cause they might fracture the joints.

Hey, I shouldn't complain, keeps me in business.  

Ken

[Andy B]

....
On copper piping etc  ...... not water.

I'm not re-doing my bathrooms!  

[Vamps]

I read this wrong, I read it as toy lead soldiers
And I have not even had a drink yet, must be cos the Mrs is back, the has that affect.

[davlad22]

We still get lead-solder in the workshop at work.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes, that's why HP are having a massive motherboard replacement campaign on laptops that are about 18months old. Their introduction nicely ties in with the introduction of Pb free. They are trying all sorts of tricks like epoxying the BGA's down to stop them moving cause they might fracture the joints.

Hey, I shouldn't complain, keeps me in business.  

Ken

They cant blame that on Pb Free.....that will be one of a couple of issues.

1) They screwed up the Pb free solder profiles
2) They have been using up old Pb chips using a hybrid process and suffered joint imbrittlement
3) They didn't change the PCB technology to support Pb free coldering.

We use far more complex BGA pin outs than any motherboard setup with far more of them on the board and have no problems.  

[Ken T]

Its interesting what you say, I wish I knew more about the whole affair. I am aware that the process window is much tighter, eg the soldering melt temp is a lot closer to the top temp of the IC's.  

Interestingly enough, it only happens to the boards using AMD/Nvidia/Nvidea IC's, not the Intel/Intel/Nvidea ones. Also why does it start to show only after about 18 months use ?.

Ken

[Pitchfork]

Its interesting what you say, I wish I knew more about the whole affair. I am aware that the process window is much tighter, eg the soldering melt temp is a lot closer to the top temp of the IC's.  

Interestingly enough, it only happens to the boards using AMD/Nvidia/Nvidea IC's, not the Intel/Intel/Nvidea ones. Also why does it start to show only after about 18 months use ?.

Ken

Possibly because the OEM Motherboard manufacturers are different
Mother boards are not made by HP but by companies such as Tyan, ASUS, Foxconn etc. Even genuine Intel motherboards are not made by them, probably Foxconn

[Marks DTM Calib]

Its interesting what you say, I wish I knew more about the whole affair. I am aware that the process window is much tighter, eg the soldering melt temp is a lot closer to the top temp of the IC's.  

Interestingly enough, it only happens to the boards using AMD/Nvidia/Nvidea IC's, not the Intel/Intel/Nvidea ones. Also why does it start to show only after about 18 months use ?.

Ken

Typically thats a joint enbritlement issue or even a standard device failure.....we have had issues with device failure due to contamination of the glue used to seal the packages! Also dont rule out PCB de-lamination due to the material not standing the higher temperature of the reflow process, they might have cut corners and used up old board stock!

The BGA's clearly idealy have to have lead free solder balls but, during the change over, you could use up old stocks of leaded device (they were already made so silly to scrap, not even the EU is that stupid) on a hybrid process which can cause issues.

It sounds more like a quality control or process issue or possibly even a non-solder related failure!

Bottom line is that leaded solder does require a slightly higher peek reflow temperatur (about 15-20deg higher) but, this is quite manageable and the jonts produced are equally as good as leaded items.

Probably got some sectioned parts we did 3 or so years ago during our lead free process trials
There may also be oher issues related to package