Lexel
(Lexel)
27
In parts like Aluminum or steel it totally makes sense to restrict lead, as often those parts come in skin contact, or can wear off creating dust
I am working with solder on my job for over 20 years now and I have tried the best silver lead free you can buy, its simply a pain to solder with it
Companies optimised leaded solder componds not because lead is cheap, they did because the physical properties are way better than with a bare tin solder
Only in the food industry like wine or spirits destilling ect. Lead free solder is used because you would poison the liquid otherwise
Reflowing LEDs you are with lead free on the point where you can easily overcook the emitter as the reflow between 200 and 240 degree has only a very short time you can stay that hot, low temperature solder melts at too low temperature for hard driven LEDs, and I doubt flashlight companies tried to create a new lead free compound melting at 180degree with eutectic melting point
There are more and more exceptions like military, medical or car industry which are allowed to use leaded solder, because it has simply superior physical properties make it more durable and reliable under extreme conditions or do you want to die because your breathing machine fails because some lead free solder connection wents cold or breaks?
Same for electronic parts that cant be produced without too much Cadmium for example, they simply get an ROHS exception