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With silver costs reaching historic highs—nearly triple what they were just one year ago—the economics of solder alloy selection have shifted dramatically. SAC305, long considered the lead-free industry standard, now carries an even steeper price premium. Its 3% silver content now contributes to the majority of its cost. In contrast, REL61, a proven low-silver alternative, offers comparable or superior performance at a significantly lower price.

By Gayle Towell In early November, I had the chance to ride along with our East Coast Regional Sales Manager, Lauren Porto. We spent a week in Florida meeting with distributors and reps and talking customers through real production line challenges. When you think “sales ride-along,” you probably picture hard pitches, scripted talking points, and

Looking back on 2025, I have a few thoughts and reflections, and in context, it’s been a wild ride. Not as wild as the “COVID Years,” but noteworthy, nevertheless. My keywords for 2025 are tariffs, AI, metals markets, and “low temp” solder. Supply Chain Disruption Let’s start with tariffs. The new administration has wielded tariffs

Have you ever wondered why the soldering iron tip or reflow oven needs to get so much hotter than the melting point of the solder alloy itself? If SAC305 fully melts at around 220°C, why are we setting reflow peak temperatures 20 degrees higher? Why is the soldering iron tip cranked up to 350°C?

When it comes to electronics manufacturing, choosing a solder alloy isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. Each alloy carries its own set of strengths, costs, and suitability for different manufacturing processes and end-use environments. Whether you’re building smartphones or assembling control modules for vehicles, the solder alloy you use will impact reliability, manufacturability, and compliance. This guide

By Gayle Towell Surely, you’ve heard this line about human nature before: We live in an age of instant messages, virtual meetings, and on-demand communication. In theory, we’ve never been more connected—but something’s missing. That’s not just a vague cliché you find scrolling on Instagram. It’s true. We’re social creatures. We have brains hardwired for

Solder plays a central role in assembling everything from smartphones to industrial controls, forming strong electrical and mechanical connections between components and printed circuit boards (PCBs).  This guide offers a simple overview for beginners, including what solder is, what flux does, and the most common forms of solder. Learn how technicians use these materials in

By Gayle Towell  I recently attended the 75th annual Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC) at the end of May. The conference brought together a record number of attendees and technical presentations. It also highlighted the rapid evolution of chip-scale packaging in the AI era.   With more than 2,500 participants and nearly 800 technical submissions,

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over my 25+ years in this industry, it’s that the best innovations don’t start with a product—they start with a problem. Products must be built to solve problems.  At AIM, that’s how we approach everything we do. Whether we’re developing a new alloy, optimizing a flux system, or refining

High reliability solder pastes withstand extreme conditions, ensuring that electronic components hold together securely over time. However, the conversation around these pastes frequently centers almost exclusively on their reliability, overshadowing equally crucial performance metrics such as wetting, voiding, and printability.    This article shifts the lens, arguing for a more comprehensive approach to developing and evaluating

Since joining the automotive soldering segment at AIM Solder, I’ve had the opportunity to closely engage with one of the most technically demanding areas of electronics manufacturing. As the industry continues to evolve—through electrification, advanced safety systems, and increased electronic content—soldering materials face greater expectations than ever before.  With a background in technical leadership and