Track 1 Session 8
2:20 to 3:20 p.m. Thursday March 26, 2009

RoHS and Lead Free Electronics: Component Issues

The European Unions RoHS Directive and lead-free soldering process have had a serious impact on the worldwide electronics industry, on electronic components and on the reliability of lead-free electronic devices and systems. This presentation describes the new requirements, terminology and the main problematic aspects of RoHS (particularly lead-free) conversion. Explanation of new standards and possible reliability problems may help designers in the right choice of components for RoHS compliance and lead-free soldering process. It should help to implement the correct conversion process and to avoid the wrong and misleading interpretations by R&D, Engineering, Purchasing, QA/QC, Incoming Inspection and other personnel of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Electronics Contract Manufacturers (ECMs).