Tin-lead solders (Sn63-Pb37) have been widely used in Brazil and worldwide. This study evaluates the emergy in a company that manufactures soft solders based on tin, lead, and other metals. The calculation of emergy per unit of three types of solder showed that more resources are used to produce one ton of lead-free solders than those used to produce tin-lead solders. The DALY (Disability Adjusted Life Years) indicator was used to assess the emissions to air of three types of solder. The results favor the use of tin-lead solders when the whole product life-cycle is evaluated. The difference between the results obtained by local and global assessments is discussed.
Emergy; Recycling; Tin-lead solders; Lead-free solders; DALY
