If it was only commercial electronics that's affected from tin whiskers
that would be bad enough, but to have a nuclear reactor shutdown because
of tin whiskers is downright scarey. This was documented as late as July
of last year.

http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2005-dadonna-nuclear-
reactor-shutdown.pdf

Just a couple of months prior to that, the US Airforce issued a
Airworthiness Advisory for all Airforce hardware. I have it on my page
at:  http://www.stevezeva.homestead.com/files/USAFSolderAdv.pdf

Quote: 

"GUIDANCE/RECOMMENDATIONS:

The safety of USAF equipment must not be sacrificed in the transition to
lead-free solder practices. Though there are many alternative solder
alloys available to replace traditional tin-lead, none of them has
passed the reliability testing required of aerospace-quality hardware."

Unquote.

So it is not just iPods that are affected...

-Steve Gregory-

-----Original Message-----
From: Leadfree [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pete Houwen
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 8:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [LF] Back to square one

Before we get too far down an alternate path, I think the major concern
isn't the solder joint failing, it is the growth of whiskers causing
short circuits.  A decent manufacturer will create lead free solder
joints that are at least as robust as leaded joints.  In some cases, the
change to lead free is causing manufacturers to learn more about their
processes, probably leading to better quality.  The whisker problem is
well documented.  It's effect is not, and may never be, but is often
overblown.  most whiskers will not grow long enought to cause a problem,
will not fall off into another circuit, or will fuse themselves.  And
when they do cause a problem, the consumer will just accept that their
iPod no longer functions, and throw it in the landfill and buy another.

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