UPSC Prelims 2006·GS1·science-and-technology·materials and robotics

Which are the materials generally employed as solder in soldering operation in electronics?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AIron and tin
  2. BLead and tinCorrect
  3. CAluminium and lead
  4. DAluminium and iron

Explanation

The correct answer is B) Lead and tin. Explanation: 1. B) Lead and tin: Traditionally, and still commonly, solder used in electronics is an alloy of lead and tin. A typical composition is 60% tin and 40% lead (or 63% tin and 37% lead for eutectic solder). This alloy has a low melting point, good electrical conductivity, and excellent wetting properties, making it ideal for joining electronic components. While lead-free solders are now prevalent due to environmental concerns, lead-tin was the standard for a very long time and is still "generally employed" in many contexts. 2. A) Iron and tin: Iron has a very high melting point (1538 °C) and is not suitable for solder, which requires a low melting point (typically below 300 °C). 3. C) Aluminium and lead: Aluminium is generally difficult to solder due due to the rapid formation of a tenacious oxide layer. It is not a common component in electronic solders. 4. D) Aluminium and iron: Both aluminium and iron have high melting points and are not suitable as solder materials for electronics.
science-and-technology: Which are the materials generally employed as solder in soldering operation in electronics?

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