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Article: The Leading Edge: Preparing for the Pb-Free Generation.(lead alloy)(Industry Overview)(Technical)
- Article from:
- Electronic Packaging & Production
- Article date:
- July 1, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Reed Business Information. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Although a relative minority of OEMs (primarily in Japan) have already made the decision to reduce or eliminate lead alloy in manufacturing their products, the component supplier must consider that a majority of companies, worldwide, will continue to use lead-bearing alloys for soldering. In any case, the alloy selected for the lead or terminal finish on the component must be compatible with both lead-bearing and lead-free soldering metallurgy.
Why are we changing the process? Is it better, cheaper, or more reliable? In actuality, the need to reduce lead-alloy in consumer electronics, to a degree, is market driven. Companies have found, in some markets, ...