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Scientists Research Tin Pest and Whiskers
March 17, 2009 |Estimated reading time: 1 minute
LONDON Scientists at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in the U.K. will begin research on lead-free solder alloys, specifically how dangerous tin pest and tin whiskers affect lead-free assemblies. NPL received funding from BERR and is looking for industry partners in the research.NPL has been using its expertise in the area of studying the allotropic phase transformation in tin and its alloys, commonly known as tin pest, to measure the implications of adopting lead-free solder manufacturing practices. NPL just received funding from the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR). It is committed to co-fund this work with industry support and has allocated a significant budget over a two-year period to research the problem of tin pest. NPL are looking for further industrial partners and are keen to hear from interested folk.
Tin pest, or the allotropic phase transformation in tin and its alloys, can decompose tin into powder at low temperatures. Tin pest was thought to be a problem of the past as tin/lead alloys did not suffer the same effect; however, the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) brought back the problem, as lead-free alloys contain 95% to 99% tin. Tin pest could dangerously affect the safety and functionality of electronic products used across many manufacturing sectors, such as the avionics industry.
RoHS has also seen electronics component manufacturers moving to pure tin component termination finishes. These are prone to the spontaneous growth of tin whiskers, which can cause catastrophic failures in electronic circuits. Reported failures include the loss of at least two communications satellites and the unplanned shutdown of a nuclear reactor. It has been suggested that conformal coatings (materials applied in thin layers, often by dipping, spraying or flow coating) can be used to inhibit whisker growth.
NPL has developed a new measurement system and test method to assess the ability of different conformal coatings to stop or slow down tin whisker growth. The method also can help conformal coating developers to modify their coatings to inhibit whisker initiation, growth, and penetration for electronic circuits.
Chris Hunt, Ph.D., NPL, said that the group is looking for 15 industry partners to share in the project. Hunt can be contacted at chris.hunt@npl.co.uk; 0208 943 7027.