Matthias -

Interesting forward-thinking: Why tradeoff lead-based solder for an
immersion bath possessing thiourea? Is the gold baths' cyanide healthier
than lead-fumes? At the assembly stage there may be a case suggesting Bi-Sn
solder is less toxic than Sn-Pb solder, but at the rate the "toxin" bar is
being lowered how long will it be before today's "safer" alternatives are
targeted for removal.

Everything being relative, I'd say not long.

Bob Lazzara

-----Original Message-----
From: Matthias Mansfeld <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, February 01, 1999 7:39 PM
Subject: Re: [TN] Removal of Lead


At first, please don't think that we manufacturers in the
European Union are happy about the lead ban. We have exactly
the same problems and unanswered questions concerning replacements
for solder with lead.

Another question is, are the offered replacements better, less toxic
than lead? Are they better recyclable than lead?

I remember the rising discussion about the Platinum from the car
exhaust catalysators which is more and more widely spread in the
landscape. Some pessimistic scientists see big problems in the
future, when we realize that this platinum is more or less toxic in
the environment. I remember also the times when the industry happily
replaced many flammable agents (like transformer oil) with
polychlorated biphenyles (that is what in Germany everybody thinks of
if he reads PCB) and realized many years later the danger of Dioxine.
We spent much money to replace these "PCB"-filled transformers,
electrolytic capacitors etc.

.. just my 2 Cents (2/100 Euro ;-)

Regards
Matthias Mansfeld
-----------------------------------------------
Matthias Mansfeld Elektronik
* Printed Circuit Board Design and Assembly
Am Langhoelzl 11, D-85540 Haar, GERMANY
Phone: +49-89-4620 0937, Fax: +49-89-4620 0938
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Internet: http://www.mansfeld-elektronik.de

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