28 July 2004Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The European Union has enacted legislation known as the Restriction of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directives.
The EU has set June 2006 as the deadline for electronic equipment suppliers to eliminate most uses of Pb from their products.
With respect to factors such as solderability, ease of manufacture and compatibility with existing assembly methods, pure tin plating is seen by the industry as a potentially simple and cost effective alternative.
However, there is another critical problem out there, and that is - 'tin (Sn) whiskers'.
Examples of tin wiskers
What are tin whiskers?
Tin whiskers are electrically conductive, 'hair-like' crystalline structures of tin that may grow from mostly pure tin finished-surfaces. Tin whiskers have been observed to grow to lengths of several millimeters and in rare instances, to lengths of up to 10 mm. Under some electrical/atmospheric conditions, whisker shorts may vaporise into a conductive plasma of metal ions. An arc forms through the plasma that is capable of carrying hundreds of amps with resulting catastrophic damage. Numerous electronic system failures have been attributed to short circuits caused by tin whiskers that bridge closely-spaced circuit elements maintained at different electrical potentials.
Typical characteristics of tin whiskers: growth rate 0,03 to 9 mm/yr; incubation period from days to years; whisker length typically <1 mm and diameter 0,006 µm to 10 µm; electric conductivity in atmosphere, 75 mA max (with whisker dia. 4 µm); in a vacuum whiskers may vaporise into conductive plasma that can carry hundreds of amps; growth mechanism(s) - unknown.
Hi-Q Electronics, local representative for Taiwan Semiconductor, has a presentation available that describes the issue of tin whiskers. Interested readers may contact Stephen Delport, [email protected] or 021 595 1307.
Optimising cleaning products used in electronics manufacturing
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
IPC, in collaboration with ChemFORWARD, are hosting a webinar titled ‘Optimising Cleaning Products Used in Electronics Manufacturing’.
Read more...Webinar: Rapidly create vision-based edge AI solutions
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
This webinar will give attendees an overview of the development kit, and will teach how it can be leveraged with Avnet’s IoTConnect platform, to rapidly develop cloud-connected solutions.
Read more...Webinar: End-to-end ML model development
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Whether attendees are just starting out, or looking to refine their existing skills, this webinar is the next step to becoming proficient in creating machine learning models that solve real-world problems.
Read more...PCBWay: Your one-stop shop for electronics manufacturing from design to production PCBWay
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
[Sponsored] PCBWay has a long history of providing manufacturing support and design advice based on our customers’ products, and we continue to provide our customers with printed circuit boards, components, PCB assembly, moulding services, electronic assemblies, contract manufacturing, etc., from design to mass production.
Read more...Yamaha accelerates transition to next-gen vehicle lighting Truth Electronic Manufacturing
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Europe’s automotive lighting makers are moving away from traditional electrical production techniques to become high-speed, precision electronic assemblers.
Read more...Eight ways temporary solder mask is used for electronic assembly Testerion
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
While it is most used to mask open vias in a wave soldering process, operators find all kinds of creative ways to use solder mask to solve process challenges.
Read more...Smart AOI provides essential inspection Testerion
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
TRI has introduced the Core Features 3D AOI, the TR7700QC SII, which is equipped with essential inspection functionalities tailored for the electronics manufacturing industry.
Read more...Newest mounter designed for the autonomous factory Techmet
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Panasonic has now started accepting orders for its newest modular mounter NPM-GW. This mounter is designed to enhance production lines with the end goal of having a fully functioning autonomous factory.
Read more...Autonomous labour-saving factory solution Techmet
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
With predictive and targeted maintenance options to maximise uptime, the NPM-GH from Panasonic is the first step to a truly autonomous factory.
Read more...Easy-PC celebrates 40 years in PCB design
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Number One Systems celebrates 40 years of success with the release of its latest update, Easy-PC Version 28, featuring more than 40 new enhancements.
printer friendly version