63/37 is eutectic meaning it has a melting point, while 60/40 has a melting range. I personally use 63/37 all the way, it doesn't crystalize and is much more ductile.

brostenen wrote:

Hi all.... I am qurious on what solder tin people usually use, when soldering SMD and Hole-Through. There is these two most comm […]
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Hi all....
I am qurious on what solder tin people usually use, when soldering SMD and Hole-Through.
There is these two most commonly seen on the market, which are 63/37 and 60/40.

Usually I use 60/40 for all my solder work, though I really would like to know what people use.
Do people use 60/40 for both SMD and Hole-Through or the other or a combination?

Finally. What are people's personal experience with the two different alloy's when doing a specific solder work?

Exclusively using leaded solder at home no matter of application, usually 60/40. For some strange reason, it's available in more varieties (dimensions, flux cores, etc) than 63/37. It's usually also cheaper, despite that the production costs can't possibly differ more than marginally. 63/37 are the eutectic proportions, and from a technical standpoint, it's preferable.

Can't really see why 60/40 and not 63/37 became the "golden standard". Perhaps it's just an old custom from times when we didn't have the science to back the better 63/37 alloy, or something about the production costs after all.

So far 63/37 are the best way to go? I am thinking, if 60/40 is what I am used to use, and have mastered it, then 63/37 will get me even better results?

Pretty much yes, once that 60/40 runs out get some 63/37 instead.

brostenen wrote:

So far 63/37 are the best way to go? I am thinking, if 60/40 is what I am used to use, and have mastered it, then 63/37 will get me even better results?

Yep, would say so. The biggest pro in my book is that it, being an eutectic alloy, phase shifts more or less instantly, making the solder joints way less sensitive to movement during the cooldown and shift from liquid to solid.

On the other hand, 60/40 is good enough, there's no reason to discard it if you're using it now. Just get 63/37 the next time, if it's available with whatever other properties you want 😀

Thanks all.... Now I know what to buy in the future, and what to use. 😀