Does multicore solder deteriorate with age?

[Ian Jackson]

Caustic Soda and Aluminium works much better for producing hydrogen, but you
have to watch the temperature as the mixture gets mighty hot and tends to
produce steam too.

In the days of coal gas, I used to inflate balloons using our gas tap under
the sink. I once let one go with a card attached and I got a reply from over
100 miles away!

The gas we get now jest aint light enough!

"When I were a lad"....

4 aluminium milkbottle tops (the tops, not the bottles!), Tizer bottle,
conc hydrochloric acid, balloon stretched over neck of bottle. When
balloon full, remove from bottle, and tie neck.

Prior to release, cotton string plus Jetex fuze wrapped around neck of
balloon. Light string, and blow out flame, leaving it to smoulder.

Release. Balloon rises into the blue. Smouldering string reaches Jetex
fuze. Fuze ignites and fizzes. Balloon explodes with either a loud bang
(if the hydrogen contains a fair proportion of air), or a whoop (if it
is pure).

You'd probably get 20 years for doing that today!

 

[Eeyore]

Well lead is one of the easiest extracted metals so certain parts of the
world are already 'contaminated' with it. It's a bit different when it's
modified so large concentrations can be airborne.

Lead additives in petrol / gasoline stopped so long ago, that should be no
problem for airborne pollution.

Graham

 

[Bryce]

Oh those morons. They screwed this one up rotten. Heard of WEEE ?
Implemented nowhere as far as I can see. My local council didn't even
reply to a request as to where I should dispose of old computers or CFLs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_Electrical_and_Electronic_Equipment_Directive

Graham

Here in the former Colonies, we have solved a more vexing disposal problem:
what to do with nuclear power plant waste. We just keep dumping it into
the pools conveniently located adjacent to each plant. After a while, it
decays to (um) lead?

 

[Adrian Tuddenham]

Lead is a deadly poison that accumulates in the body, it's not excreted.

It is excreted, but fairly slowly. It tends to hang around in the bones
longer than in the other tissues.

 

[JB]

Lead additives in petrol / gasoline stopped so long ago, that should be no
problem for airborne pollution.

Graham

It is an issue when the Lead is heated to the point of vaporization. Allow
adequate exhaust ventilation. This also applies to various fluxes which can
lead to respiratory damage or discomfort. I tended to hold my breath when
soldering and allow the air to clear before breathing.

 

[terryc]

Where did the lead come from ? I wouldn't mind betting it's natural, as
is Radon gas in Cornwall, UK from decaying isotopes in granite.

Well, you lost that bet. It came from lead ore dust from ship load
operations. They jusyt didn't wet it down in what is/was basically a hot
dry and windy location.

 

[JB]

Not even remotely. Aside from the non-existent electronics recycling plants.

Graham

Actually there is a lot of home recycling of electronics in 3rd world
countries with high concentrations of various contamination. Imagine little
children smashing batteries and carrying the dust in baskets on their heads
for 20 cents a day.

 

[Clint Sharp]

Release. Balloon rises into the blue. Smouldering string reaches Jetex
fuze. Fuze ignites and fizzes. Balloon explodes with either a loud bang
(if the hydrogen contains a fair proportion of air), or a whoop (if it
is pure).

You'd probably get 20 years for doing that today!

You'd be lucky to get prison time, more likely to get shot in the head
by an armed copper.

 

[Bob Larter]

In a burst of enthusiasm when I was much younger, I bought a large reel
of solder which I barely used.

It must have been at least 20 or more years ago. It looks similar to this:
http://img-europe.electrocomponents.com/largeimages/C557130-01.jpg

Now I need to do some soldering again. Would that old 60/40 multicore
of mine have deteriorated?

I'm thinking the rosin in the multicores may have gone off in some way
because when I tin the tip and then leave it unused for 10 minutes, it
turns brown and uneven on the tip. I'm using brand new tips.

Maybe this is normal and happens even with less old 60/40 solder?

It's fine. Don't worry about it.

 

[Engineer]

In a burst of enthusiasm when I was much younger, I bought a large reel
of solder which I barely used.

It must have been at least 20 or more years ago. It looks similar to
this:http://img-europe.electrocomponents.com/largeimages/C557130-01.jpg

Now I need to do some soldering again.  Would that old 60/40 multicore
of mine have deteriorated?

I'm thinking the rosin in the multicores may have gone off in some way
because when I tin the tip and then leave it unused for 10 minutes, it
turns brown and uneven on the tip.  I'm using brand new tips.

Maybe this is normal and happens even with less old 60/40 solder?

I'm still using 30 year old Sn/Pb cored solder - it's perfect.
Last year I picked up a few more 1 lb reels of "63/37" in case the
RoHS-police stopped the sale of the stuff - should last me out in this
hobby.
My old company went Pb-free around 2007 - what a headache!
Cheers,
Roger

 

[Brian Reay]

I'm thinking the rosin in the multicores may have gone off in some way
because when I tin the tip and then leave it unused for 10 minutes, it
turns brown and uneven on the tip. I'm using brand new tips.

Are they Antex bits? I've noticed some "new" (old stock) tips which I have
are so & soes to "tin". Even the normal "Bib" tip tinner didn't help. Once
tinned they are fine.

 

[sirkituk]

I have recently found some solder I bought about 50 years ago. Still works fine and smells great. Brings back memories of the good old days.
I remember trying to demonstrate bad solder joints to classes of kids about 20 years ago and being totally unable to get the solder to fail, whereas in more recent times with the new types of solder I often struggle to get a good joint.
I HATE THE NEW SOLDER !!!
Regards
Sirkituk
Sir-kit electronics