Nancy please the November 1995 email from Doug Sober on Bromine in Laminates.

Regards
Dave
__________________________________________________

David W. Bergman, Technical Director
IPC
2215 Sanders Road
Northbrook, IL  60062-6135
708-509-9700 x340 Phone
708-509-9798 Fax
email  [log in to unmask]
www  http://www.ipc.org

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On Fri, 19 Jan 1996, Nancy Nelson wrote:

>      Does Anyone know of any movement or alternatives
>      in the industry concerning this.It seems the European Community has 
>      not approved these for use.
>      
>      What do the Europeans use in their laminate?
>      
>      Thanks in advance for any response.
>      
>      Regards,
>      
>      Nancy Nelson
>      PCA Engineering Services
>      Dell Computer Corporation
> 
> 


>From [log in to unmask] Fri Jan 19 17:39:56 1996
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 1995 09:45:32 -0500
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: HALOGEN/ANTIMONY-FREE COPPER LAMINATE

Chris

I am not aware of any laminate grades produced in the USA that do not contain
halogenated components (bromine or chlorine) for flame retardancy.  FR-4 does
not have any antimony oxide but does have about 19% by weight bromine as part
of the resin system.  The bromine is an integral part of the polymeric chain
as opposed to nonreactive halogenated flame retardant additives.  The
composite grades have both a halogenated component and antimony oxide which
act in a synergistic fashion to accomplish flame retardancy.  

Based on my conversations with laminators at the IEC meetings in Europe,
several have developed laminate materials without bromine.  However, the cost
of these laminates are prohibitively expensive at this time.  Since future
regulations are unclear, these products will not be marketed at this time.  

The real issue here is why do we need a UL 94 V-0 laminate at all?  The board
after fabrication and the addition of various inks, soldermasks, legends etc.
need only be UL94 V-1.  As long as the final board is still V-1 why not use
laminate materials that are V-1.  All that the V-0 rating does is add cost in
an effort to provide more of a cushion for the end product V-1 rating.

Comments?

Doug Sober
IPC Base Materials General Chairman