• Electronic Engineering

Solder paste is the mix of flux (chemically cleans the metals to be joined) and tiny solder (fusible metal alloy) particles.  Solder paste is used for the process of reflow soldering.  This is when the solder paste is used to stick components to attachment pads.  Solder can be stored and used in many ways.  Solder wire is solder that is stored as thin string.  This is used for delicate and small joints.  Solder is often an alloy of tin and lead, however because of new laws and legislation’s they are making lead-free solder paste. 

The EU now provide lead free solder, this has been the case since the 1st July 2006.  This was brought in by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Directive and Restrictions of Hazardous Substances Directive.  They stopped internationals adding lead into electronics made in the EU.