Felder solder.  Any experiences?  I have questions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: knotlogic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2024, 01:41:11 pm
content: I'm looking at picking up some of Felder's Sn100Ni+ solder. As far as I can tell, this is about the same as SN100C, though how exactly it differs I have not yet been able to find out.RS Components stocks it, but they have two types of fluxes: Iso-Core Clear and Iso-Core UltraClear. Does anyone know what the differences are? At best, the UltraClear datasheet says it's classed REL0, while the Clear doesn't have a class listed. I'm wondering what they're like in practice, though I expect like all no-clean fluxes they leave a hard to remove residue.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2024, 02:22:44 pm
content: The differencw will be a tiny technicality to bypass the now expired IP that the makers of SN100C held that made it exclusive. The chemistry can now be directly cloned by others.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2024, 05:59:50 pm
content: They are called like trace additives when its written as a +. They have a few different solders that have some puny amount of weird stuff in them. They usually improve properties on a statistical scale for manufacturing.Nickel is strong as hell. They also have some solders with semiconductor elements in them.For instance,http://www.chipquik.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6250020.006 percent germaniumThe germanium in our CQ100Ge alloy acts as an anti-oxidant which significantly reduces dross when used in solder pots and wave soldering machines.Nickel bearing solder increases (TENSILE) strength (its tougher). High nickel solders are used for some plumbing stuff. Those don't wet super good. They found a minor benefit to strength by adding just the right amount of nickel so it does not effect wetting, I think,.I suspect it might be a substantial benefit especially for some larger parts like inductors, because with SMT technology they look like they are ready to fall off the PCB for no reason when done 'well'. When your margins for strength are jack shit, 0.006 % or whatever nickel might be more helpful then you think.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229390160_Effects_of_Ni_additions_trace_elements_and_solidification_kinetics_on_microstructure_formation_in_Sn-07Cu_solderI suspect that in some cases they could add more to get stronger stuff in the lab, but they suspect it will misbehave in real world conditions, so its kept at a minimum.I guess those guys with giant vats of molten solder have fun thinking about what would happen if i add a bit of this to that?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2024, 10:29:52 pm
content: Quote from: knotlogic on December 04, 2024, 01:41:11 pmThe German Felder electronics catalog (https://www.felder.de/downloads-37790/catalogue.html?file=files/felder/content/Kataloge/Elektroniklieferprogramm.pdf) says it’s REL1. For some reason they don’t have an English electronics catalog online right now; I know they have had it in the past. The ISO-Core Clear datasheet (https://www.felder.de/files/felder/pdf/EN_52-ISO-Core%20Clear_lead_free.pdf) says REL1, too.It also exists in a ROL0 flux called ISO-Core “EL” and a ROM1 called ISO-Core “RA”.I think the ones I’ve used have been the Ultra-Clear (it’s at work so I can’t check right now), and it performs well. At some point I should try and order some Clear to compare.Quote from: SMTech on December 04, 2024, 02:22:44 pmFelder says they produce their NiGe-doped alloys under license. See the “Clear” datasheet linked above, it lists all the patent numbers.

author: knotlogic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2024, 05:01:24 pm
content: Thanks for all the info. Apologies for the lack of response, but I've been a bit under the weather.I did manage to find the ISO-Core UltraClear datasheet, and it states it's REL0. It also has this info (which is what tooki referenced?):QuoteI know Nihon Superior came up with SN100C. Would that imply that Sn100Ni+ is a Fuji product?Speaking of, I haven't found Felder's SN100C available for saleanywhere. Given how similar they both are, I'm guessing there's very little, if any, practical difference between the two. So no big loss.But finding a supplier for their Sn100Ni+ is also a struggle. The only two options I've found so far are Reichelt (with expensive international shipping), and the local branch of RS (which tacks on a fee if one doesn't meet quite a substantial minimum order).

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2024, 09:51:59 pm
content: Regarding the patents, I don’t really know — before I responded I did a bit of looking, but getting meaningful conclusions would require careful examination of the patents, and I doubt it’s worth the effort.Another reseller of Felder is Conrad. No idea whether they ship to your country, and for how much.