Thanks Dave,
 
I quickly found the operative phrase from the iNEMI  release...
 
"Although it is not possible to guarantee that whiskers will not grow  under 
field conditions...
 
In the spirit of full disclosure, it also goes on to say...
 
...the mitigation practices detailed in JP002, combined with the test and  
acceptance criteria outlined in JESD201, form the cornerstone of a three-fold  
strategy of mitigation practices, process controls and verification testing 
that  helps to reduce the risks of tin whiskers. This  standard set of testing 
requirements and associated acceptance criteria are  crucial to users, who want 
to ensure product reliability, as well as to suppliers, who can now proceed 
with one set of criteria  to test and evaluate their finishes rather than trying 
to meet varying  requirements from multiple customers.” 
 
Joe Smetana (the tin whisker task group chair  quoted) is based on my 
interactions with him in the past, an honest  individual and an excellent and 
talented engineer and when he says it is  not possible the guarantee that tin 
whiskers will not grow, I believe him.  Mitigation only the committee reports and 
then with no guarantee.
 
Unfortunately what was not said (or not allowed to be said?...perhaps it is  
in the report) is that by using lead in the solder, it is possible to vastly  
improve mitigation of such risk to the point where it is vanishingly small, if 
 not precluded altogether. 
 
Who was it that decided that 0.1% was the number again? What was their  
reasoning? Why not 1%?  Why not 0.01%?  Why remove lead from solder at  all? What 
science was used? 
 
No matter how much lipstick one puts on this beast, it is still a  beast. I 
liken lead-free to a modern day "Golden Calf",  which the industry now 
dutifully bows to and worships but like  the biblical counter part, it is no less a 
false god when it comes  to protection of human health and the environment. 
 
What is worse is that we are increasingly appearing to be an  industry are 
sheep willingly following the blind shepherds of EU  parliament... except 
perhaps for the Swiss watch makers that is, whose  timing was excellent (and will 
now likely remain so... ;-)
 
Hmmmm.. I think I am going to go buy a Swatch so I can make certain I have  
the correct time after July 1st rolls around...  ;-)
 
Very best, 
Joe
 

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