Abstract: A soldering tip for soldering irons having a mounting portion adapted to fit in a heater unit of a soldering iron or tip-heater cartridge and a soldering portion shaped for forming of a solder joint. At least the soldering portion is formed of a copper inner base material which is covered by a wear and corrosion resistant coating having a matrix of a metal that is harder than the copper inner base material in which micron size particles of a chemically inert material that is harder than iron are dispersed. The chemically inert material is preferably diamond, but can be ruby, sapphire, silicon, or alumina. The matrix material is preferably iron but can be formed of nickel, nickel alloys, nickel/phosphorous alloys. silver, silver alloys, gold, or gold alloys. Preferably, the coating forms a textured outer surface on the soldering tip.