Some lacquers are super-sensitive to heat.
Although I like the 96/4 solder, I think Jerry exaggerates a little.
The tensile strength of 63/37 is 6700 PSI
See: http://www.alchemycastings.com/lead-products/solder.htm
The tensile strength of 96/4 is 14000 PSI, around twice that of the lead solder.
See: http://www.krausmusic.com/solderin/solders.htm
Nevertheless, where strength is sought, there is a decided advantage.
The flow temperature of 65/37 is 361 degrees F.
The flow temp of 96/4 is 430 F.
To me, that is significantly higher, in the situations where the lacquer is of a type that has a high risk of burning.
An advantage of the 96/4 is that it is far more resistant to corrosion than the lead solder, so it retains a bright, silvery appearance, which is a cosmetic advantage on silver plated instruments.
I know that an expert has said that mixing these two is quite OK. However in the absence of my own serious testing, I am just a little sceptical. Certain brands of flute, especially Hernals, have had a problem of the post rib near the D key peeling up. I found that when I used 95/5 (very similar to 96/4) the result SEEMED to be quite brittle and unreliable. Perhaps it had something to do with the original solder the manufacturer used. Perhaps it had something to do with the seemingly extra high nickel content in the bodies of those flutes. In these cases, I eventually had more success using 63/37. One of those mysteries of the world.
Although I like the 96/4 solder, I think Jerry exaggerates a little.
The tensile strength of 63/37 is 6700 PSI
See: http://www.alchemycastings.com/lead-products/solder.htm
The tensile strength of 96/4 is 14000 PSI, around twice that of the lead solder.
See: http://www.krausmusic.com/solderin/solders.htm
Nevertheless, where strength is sought, there is a decided advantage.
The flow temperature of 65/37 is 361 degrees F.
The flow temp of 96/4 is 430 F.
To me, that is significantly higher, in the situations where the lacquer is of a type that has a high risk of burning.
An advantage of the 96/4 is that it is far more resistant to corrosion than the lead solder, so it retains a bright, silvery appearance, which is a cosmetic advantage on silver plated instruments.
I know that an expert has said that mixing these two is quite OK. However in the absence of my own serious testing, I am just a little sceptical. Certain brands of flute, especially Hernals, have had a problem of the post rib near the D key peeling up. I found that when I used 95/5 (very similar to 96/4) the result SEEMED to be quite brittle and unreliable. Perhaps it had something to do with the original solder the manufacturer used. Perhaps it had something to do with the seemingly extra high nickel content in the bodies of those flutes. In these cases, I eventually had more success using 63/37. One of those mysteries of the world.
