[Robotgroup] lead free soldering advice

[Edwin Wise]

On 24 May 2007, at 2:21 AM, Ed Xavier Gonzalez wrote:

> Makes me wonder why European manufacturers are trying so hard to push
> RoHS so brutally, specifically when it comes to lead.

Yeah, it's not going to be pretty with electronics failing all over.   
The whiskers are mostly a problem with analog or low-voltage,  
delicate systems... they are extremely fine!  But dang, they can grow  
_long_ too (I saw pictures).  Amazing stuff.

> If corrosion begins forming immediately after the lead-free solder is
> applied, then an overcoat of lacquer or some other clear surface
> treatment that prevents oxygen from passing through would need to be
> applied...

Apparently overcoating doesn't work either (according to this article  
I read).  They fingers grow anyway, and they are so sharp they just  
burrow their way through.  As far as I've heard, there's no cure yet,  
though the industry is working with different solder formulations to  
try and minimize the problem.

Edwin!