On 25/10/2007 17:03, William Donzelli wrote: I don't understand why that should be. I think that's a misperception. It's not banned, just not permitted under RoHS for new electrical/electronic equipment for sale. It's still allowed for repairs upgrades or expansions to pre-July 2006 things that already contain leaded solder. It's still being made by most companies because some things are exempt from the RoHS directives, such as leaded solder for servers, storage and storage array systems, network infrastructure equipment, and other applications including the coatings on some pin connector systems, solder for some microprocessor BGA packages, solder for high power loudspeakers and acoustic transducers, etc. There are many more exemptions for lead, lead alloys, and lead compounds in specific cases. High-temperature solders containing over 85% lead are completely exempt. Another example: it's banned in Europe for plumbing involving drinking water or food preparation, but not for other water uses. Even Farnell -- who are currently "dumping" non-RoHS-compliant stock of many lines at up to 90% discount and labelling most non-RoHS stock as no longer available after stock is exhausted -- are still selling tin/lead solder. Oh, and military uses are exempt (what a surprise) along with the aerospace, space, and defence industries. -- Pete Peter Turnbull Network Manager University of York

On 25 Oct 2007 at 12:03, William Donzelli wrote: I've never had a problem finding it. About the only way I'd buy in is if the prices offered were "once in a lifetime". FWIW, brand seems to make a difference not in the quality of the solder itself, but in the rosin flux core. Some stuff (I don't remember the brand offhand) seems to be somwhat corrosive to plated iron soldering tips. Cheers, Chuck