K3S solder type?
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Anyone know the type of solder used in the K3S board manufacture? I've been
reading up on environmentally safer solder and all of the reliability issues that result from the solder spidering over time. Anyone happen to know? I'm sure it's not an issue but it came to mind. I tried to call Elecraft to ask but they are busy helping customers who need actual help with their units J Jer ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Hi Jer,
Solder spidering, or "Tin whiskers" has always been an issue, even when 60/40 SnPb solder was the "standard". In the past decade, the switch to non lead, or RoHS compliant solders has, mandated the removal of Pb in solder. With the absence of Pb and a much higher content of Sn, typically 96.5% of the solder formulation, tin whiskering has become more of a taking point and in some cases, problems in micro and especially nano circuits. The typical formulation for solder paste (for reflow) and solder pots is 96.5%Sn, 3%Ag, and .5%Cu. It's the brighteners in the Sn that are crucial to midagate the tin whisker growth. Although I did not see anything on the Elecraft web site that stated RoHS compliant, I would bet that their PCBs are being soldered with this type of RoHS compliant material, as Elecraft is selling into the EU marketplace, where these restrictions are enforced. As far as tin whiskering issues for the type of PCB's that are designed into these products, I do not think one should fear and "shorting" issues due to tin growth, as the pad spacing and line spacing is not at a critical spacing. Tin whisker growth is a very slow process, and we humans will probably be gone before anything like that would present a problem, especially in the "normal" conditions we operate the gear. I would be more concerned about cold solder connections as the newer RoHS solders require higher temps to reflow. That too has pretty much been handled over time with pretty precise solder reflow apparatus, and tweaks over the years on the paste and solder formulations. 73 Gene, N9TF ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jerry Moore" <[hidden email]> To: [hidden email] Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2015 11:33:53 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3S solder type? Anyone know the type of solder used in the K3S board manufacture? I've been reading up on environmentally safer solder and all of the reliability issues that result from the solder spidering over time. Anyone happen to know? I'm sure it's not an issue but it came to mind. I tried to call Elecraft to ask but they are busy helping customers who need actual help with their units J Jer ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Want to see tin whiskers grow quickly? Put the part in space. Conformal coatings reduce tin whiskers to some degree. But the military and space folks want (demand) lead when they can get it whether we are talking the USA or off shore countries.
Can't see tin whispers being a major issue for our standard type products down here on the ground with being ROHS compliant. 73, N2TK, Tony -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email] Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2015 5:46 PM To: Jerry Moore <[hidden email]> Cc: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S solder type? Hi Jer, Solder spidering, or "Tin whiskers" has always been an issue, even when 60/40 SnPb solder was the "standard". In the past decade, the switch to non lead, or RoHS compliant solders has, mandated the removal of Pb in solder. With the absence of Pb and a much higher content of Sn, typically 96.5% of the solder formulation, tin whiskering has become more of a taking point and in some cases, problems in micro and especially nano circuits. The typical formulation for solder paste (for reflow) and solder pots is 96.5%Sn, 3%Ag, and .5%Cu. It's the brighteners in the Sn that are crucial to midagate the tin whisker growth. Although I did not see anything on the Elecraft web site that stated RoHS compliant, I would bet that their PCBs are being soldered with this type of RoHS compliant material, as Elecraft is selling into the EU marketplace, where these restrictions are enforced. As far as tin whiskering issues for the type of PCB's that are designed into these products, I do not think one should fear and "shorting" issues due to tin growth, as the pad spacing and line spacing is not at a critical spacing. Tin whisker growth is a very slow process, and we humans will probably be gone before anything like that would present a problem, especially in the "normal" conditions we operate the gear. I would be more concerned about cold solder connections as the newer RoHS solders require higher temps to reflow. That too has pretty much been handled over time with pretty precise solder reflow apparatus, and tweaks over the years on the paste and solder formulations. 73 Gene, N9TF ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jerry Moore" <[hidden email]> To: [hidden email] Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2015 11:33:53 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3S solder type? Anyone know the type of solder used in the K3S board manufacture? I've been reading up on environmentally safer solder and all of the reliability issues that result from the solder spidering over time. Anyone happen to know? I'm sure it's not an issue but it came to mind. I tried to call Elecraft to ask but they are busy helping customers who need actual help with their units J Jer ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Ok, so I guess running DX from the International space station is off... darn.. LOL..
Jer -----Original Message----- From: N2TK, Tony [mailto:[hidden email]] Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2015 7:19 PM To: 'Jerry Moore' Cc: [hidden email] Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3S solder type? Want to see tin whiskers grow quickly? Put the part in space. Conformal coatings reduce tin whiskers to some degree. But the military and space folks want (demand) lead when they can get it whether we are talking the USA or off shore countries. Can't see tin whispers being a major issue for our standard type products down here on the ground with being ROHS compliant. 73, N2TK, Tony -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email] Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2015 5:46 PM To: Jerry Moore <[hidden email]> Cc: [hidden email] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S solder type? Hi Jer, Solder spidering, or "Tin whiskers" has always been an issue, even when 60/40 SnPb solder was the "standard". In the past decade, the switch to non lead, or RoHS compliant solders has, mandated the removal of Pb in solder. With the absence of Pb and a much higher content of Sn, typically 96.5% of the solder formulation, tin whiskering has become more of a taking point and in some cases, problems in micro and especially nano circuits. The typical formulation for solder paste (for reflow) and solder pots is 96.5%Sn, 3%Ag, and .5%Cu. It's the brighteners in the Sn that are crucial to midagate the tin whisker growth. Although I did not see anything on the Elecraft web site that stated RoHS compliant, I would bet that their PCBs are being soldered with this type of RoHS compliant material, as Elecraft is selling into the EU marketplace, where these restrictions are enforced. As far as tin whiskering issues for the type of PCB's that are designed into these products, I do not think one should fear and "shorting" issues due to tin growth, as the pad spacing and line spacing is not at a critical spacing. Tin whisker growth is a very slow process, and we humans will probably be gone before anything like that would present a problem, especially in the "normal" conditions we operate the gear. I would be more concerned about cold solder connections as the newer RoHS solders require higher temps to reflow. That too has pretty much been handled over time with pretty precise solder reflow apparatus, and tweaks over the years on the paste and solder formulations. 73 Gene, N9TF ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jerry Moore" <[hidden email]> To: [hidden email] Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2015 11:33:53 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K3S solder type? Anyone know the type of solder used in the K3S board manufacture? I've been reading up on environmentally safer solder and all of the reliability issues that result from the solder spidering over time. Anyone happen to know? I'm sure it's not an issue but it came to mind. I tried to call Elecraft to ask but they are busy helping customers who need actual help with their units J Jer ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Tin whiskers are not just a space phenomenon.
I lost a variable frequency drive for a 7,000 horsepower motor due to an arcing fault that developed from tinned busbars carrying 2500 VDC. the tinned cladding of the copper busbars developed whiskers that grew and provided high electric stress points to initiate the arc. Due to that failure, Siemens has replaced all our tin-platted bus with nickel-plated. Nickel doesn’t grow whiskers. Dale W5OHM > On Aug 5, 2015, at 7:38 PM, Jerry Moore <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Ok, so I guess running DX from the International space station is off... darn.. LOL.. > Jer > > -----Original Message----- > From: N2TK, Tony [mailto:[hidden email]] > Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2015 7:19 PM > To: 'Jerry Moore' > Cc: [hidden email] > Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3S solder type? > > Want to see tin whiskers grow quickly? Put the part in space. Conformal coatings reduce tin whiskers to some degree. But the military and space folks want (demand) lead when they can get it whether we are talking the USA or off shore countries. > Can't see tin whispers being a major issue for our standard type products down here on the ground with being ROHS compliant. > > 73, > N2TK, Tony > > -----Original Message----- > From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email] > Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2015 5:46 PM > To: Jerry Moore <[hidden email]> > Cc: [hidden email] > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S solder type? > > Hi Jer, > > Solder spidering, or "Tin whiskers" has always been an issue, even when 60/40 SnPb solder was the "standard". In the past decade, the switch to non lead, or RoHS compliant solders has, mandated the removal of Pb in solder. With the absence of Pb and a much higher content of Sn, typically 96.5% of the solder formulation, tin whiskering has become more of a taking point and in some cases, problems in micro and especially nano circuits. > The typical formulation for solder paste (for reflow) and solder pots is 96.5%Sn, 3%Ag, and .5%Cu. It's the brighteners in the Sn that are crucial to midagate the tin whisker growth. > Although I did not see anything on the Elecraft web site that stated RoHS compliant, I would bet that their PCBs are being soldered with this type of RoHS compliant material, as Elecraft is selling into the EU marketplace, where these restrictions are enforced. > > As far as tin whiskering issues for the type of PCB's that are designed into these products, I do not think one should fear and "shorting" issues due to tin growth, as the pad spacing and line spacing is not at a critical spacing. Tin whisker growth is a very slow process, and we humans will probably be gone before anything like that would present a problem, especially in the "normal" conditions we operate the gear. > > I would be more concerned about cold solder connections as the newer RoHS solders require higher temps to reflow. That too has pretty much been handled over time with pretty precise solder reflow apparatus, and tweaks over the years on the paste and solder formulations. > > 73 Gene, N9TF > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Jerry Moore" <[hidden email]> > To: [hidden email] > Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2015 11:33:53 AM > Subject: [Elecraft] K3S solder type? > > Anyone know the type of solder used in the K3S board manufacture? I've been reading up on environmentally safer solder and all of the reliability issues that result from the solder spidering over time. Anyone happen to know? > > I'm sure it's not an issue but it came to mind. I tried to call Elecraft to ask but they are busy helping customers who need actual help with their units J > > > > Jer > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Jerry Moore
Jer,
I don't know the solder type used in the K3S, but I can tell you that Elecraft went to ROHS compliant several years ago. 73, Don W3FPR On 8/5/2015 12:33 PM, Jerry Moore wrote: > Anyone know the type of solder used in the K3S board manufacture? I've been > reading up on environmentally safer solder and all of the reliability issues > that result from the solder spidering over time. Anyone happen to know? > > I'm sure it's not an issue but it came to mind. I tried to call Elecraft to > ask but they are busy helping customers who need actual help with their > units J > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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