Lead Free Solder Reliability Issues in Military and Aerospace

Rob, Check these links as a starting point http://www.calce.umd.edu/lead-free/longterm.htm http://www.calce.umd.edu/lead-free/tin-whiskers/

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There is: * NO information to indicate leadfree solder is at all reliable regardless of class of operation. * NO material model for leadfree solder, whereas the model for lead solder was developed over many years back during a time when companies believed developing such things were important. * NO basis for accelerated testing as a point of comparison between lead and leadfree solders, because the creep of leadfree is 100X lead solder.

It's just that people accept using leadfree solders in consumer class goods, because there's few catastrophic things that can happen when using those products. Right? [What? They're going leadfree at Airbus & Boeing. Ooooo. Line-up the lawyers.]

In response to your question: * EMPF [610-362-1320] might know the answer to your question. * Anthony J. Rafanelli [Raytheon Naval & Maritime Integrated Systems-MS 369, 1847 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 Anthony_J_Rafanelli@raytheon.com ] published a paper titled "The Lead-Free Solder Alternatives Issue: A Defense Industry Perspective". He may be able to help.

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