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Tin Whiskers — Fact Or Fiction?
bLanark writes "Some time ago, most electronics were soldered with old-fashioned lead solder, which has been tried and tested for decades. In 2006, the EU banned lead in solder, and so most manufacturers switched to a lead-free solder. Most made the switch in advance, I guess due to shelf-life of products and ironing out problems working with the new material. Lead is added to solder as it melts at low temperature, but also, it prevents the solder from growing 'whiskers' — crystalline limbs of metal. The effect of whiskers on soldered equipment would include random short-circuits and strange RF-effects. Whiskers can grow fairly quickly and become quite long. Robert Cringley wrote this up this some time ago, but it seems that the world has not been taking notice. I guess cars (probably around 30 processors in a modern car) and almost every appliance would be liable to fail sooner than expected due to tin whiskers. Note that accelerated life-expectancy tests can't simulate the passing of time for whiskers to grow. I've googled, and there is plenty of research into the effects of tin whiskers. I should point out that the Wikipedia page linked to above states that tin whisker problems 'are negligible in modern alloys,' but can we trust Wikipedia? So: was the tin whisker problem overhyped, was it an initial problem that has been solved in the few years since lead-free solder came into use, or is it affecting anyone already?"
grow whiskers. That would be a major bummer. But then lead would be pretty heavy.
My cat gets through tins of Whiskas extremely rapidly. Perhaps scientists can interview him.
Imagine a ...er, no..
I blame Mic..hang on..
The RIA...Uh..
In Soviet Ru...Damn..
SCO probably...fu..
Does solder run Lin...um...
Bah!
AT&ROFLMAO
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Did he have tin whiskers?
If you are going to troll, at least be on-topic.
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Yeah, as long as you're certain the slashdot crowd is dependable, honest and therefore trustworthy...
I'm sorry but I don't see the danger to life and limb these politicians do in the tiny dimples of lead alloy solder which are enclosed in numerous tough outer casings.
Have there been any studies comparing this "health risk" to your average city's smog layer?
Lead has its place in society. It's not as if lead based solder is being used to paint walls or as inlay in children's toys.
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I think you've wasted your time commenting on the comment.
You live in a place where they make ham out of *cows*? I don't think I want to eat /anything/ there, lead or not.
People need to learn to solder as well. I can't tell you how many EE seniors I know that can't solder any better than I could when I was 10 and convinced if I hooked 10 D batteries in series I would be able to get a California radio station in Arizona with a boombox. Ah, precious magic smoke.
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Analog? That is so 1980s
There is no "-1 offended" or "-1 you don't agree with me" mod options for a reason.
Well, I'll do you one better. I've never heard of HAM made from COWS!
Over-the-top Response Guy! Giving "Over-the-Top Responses" since 1970.
"Percussive maintenance."
Kosher ham, I trust.
/. -- the Free Republic of technology.
last time i checked space wasn't an EU member. list here
IranAir Flight 655 never forget!
The only problem that you have now is that you are only 11 and have been at it for only a year!
is they're a bitch when the cat rubs up against my leg.
I guard my rosin core solder like it's gold. I cannot stand the lead free solder.
What made me laugh one night was when I was at the local DC401 group and we were assembling the RGB light kits. A few of the guys had vented soldering stations and warned to "wash you hands" after handling leaded solder.
It was then that I brought up that if you lived in any area that was built up from the 19th century, more than likely your water distribution was via lead pipe. Not to mention the environmental lead you're exposed to every day.
The hand washing is probably a good idea, and not inhaling the fumes might be helpful.
But hell, I've been soldering stuff with lead based solder for many years. Maybe it explains why I'm so deranged.
The BOFH intends to use your exact message the next time that a user calls us with a hardware problem. Sir, you win a prize.
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