Cardas solder.

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M Gregg

M Gregg

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Joined 2010
#1
Cardas solder. Caution!

I have stopped using cardas eutectic solder,

I don't know what they have done to it but the flux smells like burning plastic and made my lips sting and throat sore after 6 joints of the new version.

The old stuff smelt like rosin flux and I was happy to use it in a ventilated area.
But I won't use it anymore the new stuff I believe is a hazard!

Regards
M. Gregg
 
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#3
cliffforrest said:
"and made my lips sting and throat sore after 6 joints of the new version."

You really must give up smoking it! 😀😀
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Yes..😀

It worried me for a while because the effect didn't ware off for 2 hours.
The wife walked in and said somethings burning out never mind the fan get the doors and windows open..How much have you used?..thats making my eyes water..
The label has changed on the solder to Black and white and it has Iosh warnings on the back..I just thought they are just complying with new regs until I used it..what a shock! The effect is like you have rubbed a chilly on your lips..and the skin on your hands feels strange. There is also a warning for industrial use only.
It was that bad that the wife said keep a piece of it in case something happens to you later.

Regards
M. Gregg
 
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#5
mcandmar said:
Thats not good as my 1lb roll is almost done. Where did you buy it, and does the packaging look different in any way?

I have also used WBT silver which seemed very similar, maybe a suitable replacement.
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Yes the old rolls I used had light brown label with the shell symbol.
Like this:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...hWThhoKHcAoD_IQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=VaL8syrEJ2yluM:
The new roll Had a black and white label
like this:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...hWThhoKHcAoD_IQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=VedStCPVJ2YC4M:

I am now looking for something to match the flow of Cardas, but this did scare me to be honest. I know what chemicals can do..its part of what I do.
I don't know whats in the new stuff but beware..at first I thought it was some kind of sealant on the end for some reason so I continued to use it. I only did six joints and obviously it was burning on the iron between each joint..

Regards
M. Gregg
 
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#9
why not use multicore? Dave Jones from eevblog uses it and (he is very critical), he specifically recommends a small diameter of 0,46mm, this will give you better control and a ''longer tin+flux solder time'' witch is critical for removing oxides, use the smallest diameter you can practically and correctly can handle. It's best to avoid 'the wet sponge' and use a iron wire cleaner, this will keep tin at all times on the tip.
 
#10
After using and stopping using the Cardas,

I made the final joints with some Multicore SMART solder. (From the box)
However it was just a stand in its silver loaded but I know the effect the solder type has...lets not go there..

I am trying some Mundorf Silver gold at the moment..its quite liquid on the iron and flows well. And it doesn't choke you.

Can anyone tell me what the WBT stuff is like..and which one they used.

In the past I have used the Audio Note stuff and it ran like water I have never seen anything quite like it. I will give that a go as well.

NB its also interesting to note the fumes from the cardas lingered and were obviously heavy (I mean heavier than the air in the room) the fan would not move them and even with the windows and doors open it lingered for ages. I know it sounds stupid but I went outside and bent over then breathed deeply to try and shift what might be still in me.
Looks nuts I know but..Gravity works..My thoughts if my lips are stinging whats it doing to my lungs..
I thought afterwards can you imagine a production line using this stuff..then I wondered have I got some bogus solder..anyway it sounds like others have had a similar experience.

Regards
M. Gregg
 
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#12
kaputt said:
I hadn't noticed the bad smell but the new stuff with the black/white label certainly doesn't flow as nice as the old stuff.
Click to expand...

I don't know if the iron makes a difference.
Ie the new irons run hotter for the lead free stuff, but I have used this iron for at least 12 months with the old Cardas with no problems.
Obviously the increased temperature will create more fumes..you can't mistake this its like when you burn the plastic on an electrolytic with the iron tip.
But its much worse.

Regards
M. Gregg
 
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#15
I've enjoyed using the Quad Eutectic for over a decade, and still have the best part of my second 1lb roll that must be over 5yr old, and it doesn't exhibit these characteristics. I've also used the much cheaper silver bearing solder that used to be available from Radio Shack - no longer stocked by the local "Source" - sorry, but I don't 'want that'. 😉 . It'd be a shame to have to switch to another brand.

FWIW, I've made a private inquiry to their "chief technical officer" as to availability of MSDS info sheets, or description of any recent changes to the chemical composition of the flux - we'll see what happens
 
#17
reply from Cardas (approx 26hr turnaround time) :

Chris,

We have verified there is something different about the new batch of solder. We are considering a recall on our solder due to the flux content not being correct but it's too early to know for sure. We are having it analyzed by a lab to verify the problem. Until we have all the answers we are not shipping any roll solder.
As a side comment, you should only use solder in a well ventilated room... and although we don't know for sure, I suspect the flux is almost entirely missing from the core. This can happen when the nozzle for the machine is worn or plugged during production.

Thank you for your patience while we get to the bottom of this. Anyone experiencing problems with our solder will be able to exchange the bad spools for new ones as soon as we have it back in stock.

Cheers,


Brian Von Bork
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#20
kaputt said:
Interesting. When did your conversation with Cardas happen? Just recently?
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My initial e-mail was prompted by yesterday's forum post, so just within the past day.

Perhaps sufficient inquiry via their website contacts could help them re-evaluate the priority of remedial action.

I for one was quite impressed to get that quick and candid a reply, and suspect that the revised labeling was a simple co-incidence, but then I'm not a big conspiracy guy, so maybe compliance with ROHS standards is part of the calculus - so while I'm sure discussion of that subject could be very interesting to say the least, let's not go there?
 
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