Lead-Free Soldering – Where The World Is Going

Lead-free soldering for electronic industry is a segment of global trend toward lead-free environment. Although initiated in U.S. in early 1990’s, it advanced much more rapidly in Japan and Europe. This differentiation in Pb-free progress triggered great concerns of users of Pb-containing solders about maintaining business opportunity, therefore further expedites the advancement of Pb-free soldering programs. The favored Pb-free solder alternatives vary from region to region. However, in general, high tin alloys are preferred, including Sn/Ag, Sn/Cu, Sn/Ag/Cu, Sn/Ag/Bi, and various versions of those alloys with small amount of additions of other elements, such as Sb. Sn/Ag/Bi systems are used in some Japanese products already. However, Sn/Ag/Cu systems are more tolerant toward Pb contamination than Bi-containing systems, therefore are more compatible with existing infrastructure for the transition stage. Pb-free surface finishes for PCBs include OSP, immersion Ag, immersion Au/electroless Ni, HASL Sn/Cu, Sn/Bi, electroless Pd/electroless Ni, electroless Pd/Cu, and Sn. The challenge for components is greater than for solder materials or PCBs. Although some Pb-free surface finishes for components exist, such as Sn, Pd/Ni, Au, Ag, Ni/Pd, Ni/Au, Ag/Pt, Ag/Pd, Pt/Pd/Ag, Ni/Au/Cu, Pd, and Ni, the performance remains to be verified. In addition, options for higher melting temperature solder is still not available for high temperature applications, including first level interconnect within the components. Thermal damage can be a concern for both PCBs and components.