Eric,
Excellent summary.
Bev

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Christison
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 6:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Lead Free solder has performed well...

Thanks to everyone for their response to my slightly provocative post. 
After several years of lead free implementation it's interesting to read 
the considered opinions from different parts of the industry.

I'll summarise what I've taken from this:

     * The benefit to environment of eliminating lead from electronics 
is at best neutralised by a number of negative environmental impacts of 
lead free solders.
     * Reliability has been negatively affected although not to a degree 
where it has any noticeable impact on consumer electronics and not 
without a lot of industry effort in                     requalifying 
lead free devices and processes.
     * Further experience and modifications of design rules and 
processes may in the future allow lead free to make inroads into hi rel 
applications.
     * With the exception of allowing the use of finer pitch devices 
there are few technical or commercial benefits in using lead free.

Regards,


-- 
Eric Christison
Consumer&  Micro group
Imaging Division

STMicroelectronics (R&D) Ltd
33 Pinkhill
Edinburgh EH12 7BF
United Kingdom

Tel:	+44 (0)131 336 6165
Fax:	+ 44 (0)131 336 6001

The contents of the email are ST confidential.




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