Wiardgroup

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071006/ap_on_hi_te/tin_whiskers

--- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "Grant Richter" <grichter@...> wrote:
>
> 
> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071006/ap_on_hi_te/tin_whiskers
>
Silver solder, and paste works well for this problem, but I still use 
rosin core.

Yes, silver solder is know to be much stronger and has a larger temperature range. It is 
standard for jewelry solder and lead free plumbing.

The problem for electronics is the higher melting temperature and that it is almost three 
time the cost per roll. We do use solder with a higher tin content for greater strength and 
durability. But even 9 year old modules don't show any "whisker" growth. The solder is still 
as shiny as the day was shipped. Studios are humidity controlled, so no corrosion at all.

None of the Wiard modules has been affected by soldering problems, assuming we can get 
it on correctly to begin with, it keeps working long time.

There were a couple "boo-boos" at the very beginnning of the 1200 series surface mount 
era, where we missed one side of a tiny resistor. Those have all been corrected under 
warranty. We switched to a two man system - one person solders, a different person 
inspects under a microscope. That eliminated the problem completely.

It appears to be human nature that if something looks correct to you the first time, it will 
still look correct when you inspect it. A much better system is to have someone else do the 
inspection phase, which is what we now use for every process.

--- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "jay.endedup" <endedup@...> wrote:

>
> --- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "Grant Richter" <grichter@> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071006/ap_on_hi_te/tin_whiskers
> >
> Silver solder, and paste works well for this problem, but I still use 
> rosin core.
>