What Is a Solder Wire?
Solder wire is a fusible metal alloy used in soldering, typically made from a combination of tin and lead. Its primary purpose is to join metal components together.
The low melting point of solder wire facilitates the soldering process, which involves melting the wire to form a bond between metal parts. The basic soldering steps include cleaning the metal surfaces to be joined, heating the solder wire with a soldering iron until it melts, and then applying the molten solder to the joint areas of the components.
There are two main types of solder wire: leaded and lead-free. Leaded solder wire, a tin-lead alloy, is traditionally favored for its low melting point and ease of use. Lead-free solder wire, made from various other metals, has gained popularity due to environmental concerns associated with lead. This type is increasingly used in various applications.