Homebrew PCBs

In a message dated 8/31/2003 8:58:54 AM Central Standard Time, 
stuartwinsor@... writes:

> According to
> the sales blurb it actually contained some copper which slowed the rate
> which copper was dissolved from the iron.
> 
 Stuart:

You are correct.  I think it was 1% copper, but it MAY have been much less 
than 1%.  I certainly never did any metallurgical analysis of the stuff.  In the 
days I used it, iron-plated tips were rare, if extant at all, and a plain 
copper tip would last MUCH longer, when using this Ersin product.  Made in 
Cornwall, as I recall.  It was half-again as expensive as generic "plain" 60/40 
rosin core" such as Kester's.  GOOD stuff.  

I do NOT know if Ersin is still in the business, but I would certainly both 
assume AND hope so!

Yes, their "multicore" had SEVEN holes down the length of even the 1 mm dia. 
solder-wire!  With "thinner walls", it took less heat to melt and for the 
rosin core to "spill out" more readily all over the joint where it could do its 
job.  

I always thought it was curious that the English could produce such a super 
product, but the "next-nearest" U.S. product was just-noticeably inferior 
(though usually "good enough for church").

Jan Rowland


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