Though often referred to as the lead-free directive, RoHS is not limited in scope to lead alone. RoHS also restricts the use of these six substances:
Sunstone has several RoHS-compliant products, to fit just about every project:
RoHS does not require any specific product labeling. Many manufacturers have adopted their own compliance marks to reduce confusion.
Visual indicators in use include:
RoHS helps reduce damage to people and the environment in third-world countries where much of today's "high-tech trash" ends up. The use of lead-free solders and components has provided immediate health benefits to electronics industry workers in prototype and manufacturing operations. Solder paste no longer represents the same health risk it did before RoHS implementation.*
We are convinced that immersion silver is the best RoHS compliant finish for the majority of our customers and their applications. Our testing has shown that silver gives the best solder joint of any of the other finishes tested.
Silver immersion plating has been on the market for 10 years and end users have benefitted from this finish long before RoHS requirements came into play. Silver, when stored properly, has a shelf life of 12 months (easily as long as OSP), and can withstand multiple heat cycles during assembly. Silver immersion does not require any special fluxes or solders and fits in perfectly with the “quick turn” mode of operation.
The contact resistance is very low (see chart) and the co-planarity of the finish provides a completely flat surface for solder paste application on fine pitch devices. The silver immersion finish is easily electrical tested without damage or “puncture” of the surface of the silver plating.
We have found that the Immersion Silver plating process is not limited to just a “post mask” finish, but can be applied to boards prior to mask and can also be processed through nickel/gold tab operations without any adhesion complications. When we process an Immersion Silver plating order, we not only give our customers the best finish (in our opinion) but, for complete RoHS compliance and assembly needs, we put this finish on high Tg, high Td and low CTE material; all at no extra cost.
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