Re: smoldering irons

[Brian Whatcott <inet@INTELLISYS.NET>]

At 08:54 PM 2/19/02, Chuck Britton wrote:
> Getting iron-clad tips is worthwhile in MY book.
>
> Unclad tips (copper) will slowly dissolve away in the liquid solder.

That soldering irons should have iron tips is questionable:
The thermal conductivity of iron and steel is so inferior to copper (75 vs.
385 watts per meter kelvin or 1/5) that the temperature droops badly
between heating element and tip. Iron, nickel, aluminum and other coats and
alloying agents are however helpful to avoid the solvation of copper by hot
tin.


Brian Whatcott
  Altus OK                      Eureka!