TimesHi all
Seems to be a hot issue. As a matter of chance I am involved in both
aspects here. And I face the same problems in both aspects here.
First I still work on the reliability of tin-lead solder joints on
various pad-surfaces since some tests with isolated boards showed a
somewhat faster growth of cracks in solder joints with pads covered
with alternative surfaces. But never enough data to make a quantitative
statement. But I can tell you it is damn hard to get any money for this
kind of research. Everybody is whining about the lack of test data and
reliability models. But when it comes to get some money.... Boy,
discussing with the managers who have to say whether or not you may do
anything ( e.g. whether or not you get some money ) can really drive
you nuts. One half tells you that your approach is too academic, the
other half says your plans are not scientific enough. I'm trying the
third time now. Urged by process engineers of our partner companies.
Wanna know the answer of the project reviewer? Yes? here it goes:
>> There is no commercial nor technical evidence that a project
concerning the reliability of soft solder joints on alternative pad
surfaces other than HAL is justified. And anyway, all data necessary
are easily found in literature<<<<
OK, so much for reliability of solder. The other area I'm working in is
recycling of electronic waste. Lots of people know, that compared to
what nasties you find on a assembled PCB's, lead one of those that
make us the least trouble. If one is looking at the technologies
necessary to extract these substances it becomes clear that the
extraction of lead is a piece of cake. Because of that, there are hard
laws coming up in Europe concerning the disposal ( forbidden ) and
recycling of electronic waste and there are a lot of European projects
concerning the environmental aspects of electronic waste. But I can
tell you it is damn hard.......
I have some problems in understanding the whole fuss about the removal
of lead. Anyway electronic waste shouldn't be looked at as waste and
for sure it doesn't belong into a dump. It would be much cleverer to
declare it as raw material. You see, one of the main sources of costs
for recycling of electronic waste is the transport. And just because it
is declared as hazardous waste and must be transported in transport
equipment designed for the transport of hazardous waste. Also because
of the lead in the solder joints. Did someone ever think of the
transport of electronic equipment before it is out of use? And, coming
back to ban lead, did ever someone look at the incredible amounts of
lead coming into our environment by sources other than electronics ( we
just had a case of high lead contents in game meat due to the lead
balls used in hunting. Can you imagine how much lead is deposited
UNCONTROLLED in our countries by means of ammunition? )
To make the long story short I must say that everybody is lamenting
about hazardous substances in electronic waste, lots of people talk
about guesswork when it comes to reliability of solder joints but
nobody is willing to invest 5 cents to get facts.
Gee, I think I got a bad morning today.
Cheers
Guenter
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