The soldering tests are conducted to determine if materials can withstand soldering effects, such as resistance to soldering heat, as well as the solderability of components during the manufacturing process.

RESISTANCE TO SOLDERING HEAT

The test is performed for the purpose of determining whether component parts can withstand the effects of the heat to which they will be subjected during the soldering of their terminations. The heat can be either conducted heat through the termination into the component part, or radiant heat emanating from the solder dip or soldering iron when in close proximity to the body of the component part, or both. The heat of soldering can affect the electrical characteristics and cause mechanical damage as well to the part: Electrical characteristics of resistive elements, semiconductor devices, soldered connections, and insulation materials are affected in varying degrees by heat. Mechanical damage, such as loosening of terminations of windings, softening of insulation, opening of solder seals, and weakening of mechanical joints, can occur.

Resistance to soldering heat testing is specified in the following:

MIL-T-27, MIL-STD-202, MIL-STD-750, MIL-S-3928, MIL-S-8805, MIL-C-11015, MIL-F-15733, MIL-F-18327

SOLDERABILITY 
The purpose of this test is to determine the solderability of solid and stranded wires up to 1/8 inch thickness, as well as lugs, tabs, hook leads, turrets, etc., which are normally joined by a soldering operation. This determination is made on the basis of the ability of these terminations to be wetted by a new coating of solder, or to form a suitable fillet when dip soldered to a specially prepared solderable wire. An accelerated aging test is included in this method which simulates a period of natural aging under a combination of various storage conditions. This test, simulates the effect of the environment on materials prior to soldering.

Solderability testing is specified in the following:

MIL-PRF-27, MIL-T-27, MIL-STD-202, MIL-STD-454, MIL-STD-750, MIL-STD-3885, MIL-S-3928, MIL-S-15743, MIL-S-10399, MIL-C-11015, MIL-I-11683, MIL-R-13312, MIL-F-13926, MIL-C-14550, MIL-W-16878, MIL-T-17301, MIL-F-18327, MIL-R-18546, MIL-M-19097, MIL-H-19760, MIL-N-19900, MIL-S-20708, MIL-T-21200, MIL-S-22432, MIL-L-23886, UL-471, UL-42