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
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