Did you know? 217 °C

SAC305 is 96.5 percent tin, 3 percent silver and 0.5 percent copper. It melts around 217 degrees Celsius, some 34 degrees above the old eutectic tin lead alloy.

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Metcal soldering technology

Soldering and desoldering tips

Metcal soldering and desoldering tips are supplied as plug-in cartridges that snap into MX handpieces without tools. Each series is assigned to a temperature class: series 600 (357 °C), series 700 (412 °C) and series 500 (302 °C for tweezer tips). Geometries range from conical tips (0.13-5 mm) through chisel, blade and hoof forms to tunnel and quad rework tips covering SOIC, PLCC and QFP packages.

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Buying guide

How to choose Soldering and desoldering tips

What matters when choosing: properties, comparison and typical applications.

Series and temperature classes

Series	Temperature	Application
SSC	357 °C (series 600)	General soldering, MX handpieces
STTC	357 °C (series 600)	Wide geometry range, over 100 variants
PTTC	412 °C (series 700)	High-power soldering, blade tips up to 28 mm
UFTC	Series 700	Ultra-fine from 0.13 mm, for microelectronics
STDC	357 °C (series 600)	Desoldering tips/cartridges for MX-DS1
SMTC	357/412 °C	Rework: tunnel, quad, blade for SOIC, PLCC, QFP
TATC	302 °C (series 500)	Talon tweezer tips, sold in pairs

Tip geometry guide

⚙ Conical - fine soldering and wire tacking, STTC/SSC/UFTC from 0.13 mm tip diameter

✓ Chisel - pad soldering and through-hole joints, 0.4-5 mm width in STTC/PTTC series

↕ Blade - drag soldering and SOIC pin rows, SMTC blades 10-22 mm wide

⚰ Tunnel (SOIC) - encloses both pin rows, SMTC tunnel tips for SOIC-8 to SOIC-28

⛤ Quad (PLCC/QFP) - all four sides simultaneously, SMTC quad for PLCC-28/44 and QFP up to 144 pins

🔥 Hoof - wire soldering and connection points, STTC/SMTC 1.5-3.3 mm width

Typical applications

Typical applications: SMT volume production with mixed component geometries (STTC/SSC for standard processes), rework and component replacement on SOIC, PLCC and QFP packages (SMTC tunnel and quad tips), microelectronics and sensor soldering with UFTC tips from 0.13 mm, desoldering of through-hole assemblies with STDC cartridges, and double-sided SMD work with Talon tweezer tips (TATC).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Soldering and desoldering tips

What are Metcal soldering and desoldering tips and what industrial applications do they serve?

Metcal soldering and desoldering tips are precision thermal tools designed for electronics manufacturing, repair, and rework operations in industries requiring ESD protection and temperature-controlled soldering. These cartridge-based tips utilize SmartHeat technology for consistent temperature regulation across SMD component attachment, QFP package soldering, PLCC component rework, and precision desoldering applications. Electronics manufacturers, aerospace companies, automotive suppliers, and medical device producers rely on these tips for high-reliability soldering work where thermal damage prevention and repeatability are critical requirements.

What technical criteria should guide selection of Metcal soldering tips for specific applications?

Metcal tip selection depends on operating temperature series, component geometry, and thermal mass requirements for your specific soldering application. The STTC series operates at 700°C/412°F for general-purpose work, while the STDC desoldering tips function at 600°C/357°F with precise diameter control from 0.7mm to 1.3mm for through-hole component removal. SMD-specific tips like the SMTC-145 for QFP-100 packages and SMTC-1124 for SOIC-16 components provide geometry-matched thermal transfer, while blade-type tips such as the SMTC-162 measuring 22x0.5mm enable precision rework on densely packed circuit boards.

Which international standards apply to Metcal soldering tips for industrial electronics manufacturing?

Metcal soldering tips conform to IEC 61340-5-1 standards for electrostatic discharge protection in electronics handling environments, ensuring ESD-safe operations during component soldering and rework processes. The tips meet ISO 9001 quality management requirements for consistent thermal performance and dimensional accuracy, while temperature calibration follows IEC 60068 environmental testing standards for reliable operation across industrial temperature ranges. Manufacturing facilities implementing these tips must maintain ESD control per ANSI/ESD S20.20 workplace standards, with proper grounding and ionization systems to prevent component damage during precision soldering operations.

What are the differences between STTC, SMTC, and STDC Metcal tip series?

The STTC series provides general-purpose soldering tips with integrated heating elements operating at 700°C/412°F, available in chisel geometries from 3.8x1mm to 5x7.6mm for conventional through-hole and surface-mount work. SMTC tips are specialized SMD soldering tools designed for specific component packages like QFP, PLCC, and SOIC, featuring precise thermal profiles matched to individual IC geometries for controlled heat transfer. STDC desoldering tips operate at 600°C/357°F with hollow construction and vacuum compatibility, offering diameter options of 0.7mm, 1.0mm, and 1.3mm for clean component removal without board damage.

What system compatibility and installation requirements apply to Metcal soldering tips?

Metcal soldering tips require compatible MX-series soldering stations or Talon rework systems that provide proper impedance matching for SmartHeat technology activation and temperature regulation. The STTC and SMTC tips connect to MX-series stations through proprietary cartridge interfaces, while TATC desoldering tips pair specifically with Talon systems for vacuum-assisted component removal. Installation involves simple cartridge insertion without calibration procedures, as each tip contains integrated temperature sensing and regulation circuits that automatically configure operating parameters based on tip geometry and thermal requirements for optimal soldering performance.

What safety ratings and operating temperature ranges characterize Metcal soldering tips?

Metcal soldering tips operate within defined temperature ranges of 600°C/357°F for desoldering applications and 700°C/412°F for standard soldering work, with integrated thermal regulation preventing temperature overshoot that could damage sensitive electronic components. The tips maintain ESD-safe operation through conductive pathways and proper grounding systems, meeting Class 0 ESD sensitivity requirements for handling MOSFET and CMOS devices. Operating ambient temperature range extends from 10°C to 40°C with relative humidity tolerance up to 80% non-condensing, while thermal recovery time remains under 3 seconds for consistent joint quality across production environments.

What maintenance schedule and service life expectations apply to Metcal soldering tips?

Metcal soldering tips require daily cleaning with damp cellulose sponges and weekly inspection for oxidation, geometric wear, or thermal response degradation that affects soldering quality. Service life typically ranges from 6 to 12 months under normal production conditions, with actual replacement intervals depending on operating temperature, flux chemistry, and daily usage hours. Preventive maintenance includes monthly calibration verification using temperature measurement devices, quarterly tip geometry inspection under magnification, and immediate replacement when temperature recovery exceeds 5 seconds or when visible wear affects joint formation consistency in critical electronics assembly operations.