Disappear? No.
Diminish in use/availability? Yes.
Exemptions appear to exist for high reliability applications.
e.g. Military, Medical, networking and some non  electronic joining
requirements.
Irrespective of EEU exemptions (and their longevity), the market place will
determine the lifetime of Tin-Lead systems.
Unless there is an exclusion to the use of SAC solder technology for
technical reasons there is little reason to justify any cost disadvantage
vis-a-vis using Tin-Lead.
As the availability of assembly sources using Lead diminish the cost of
using lead will increase. When those companies that use non lead solders
have an economic or technical edge over those that don't, Tin Lead systems
will be relegated for use in legacy products and repair of older products.
The same market drivers exist.
The difference now is that the application of newer technology improvements
may be for a while secondary to an ill conceived ban on materials.
You still have to produce a product that is competitive in all areas
including "beneficial to the environment."

Daniel J. Devlin


-----Original Message-----
From: Leadfree [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hal Winslow
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2005 3:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [LF] Does anyone expect 63/37 Solder to disappear?

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