21 Dec
2006
21 Dec
'06
4:38 p.m.
Mil-Spec in the US is exempt from lead-free. Bonding, whiskers (growing
shorts) and the like are know quantities in leaded; and lead-free
formulations are still evolving--and improving. A long term concern is what
happens to the leaded parts supply. Some of the manufacturers I've spoken
with say they will continue to produce lead parts for mil, areo and medical,
but will watch the market. No comment on what this will potentially do to
leaded parts prices. I have a small stock pile of leaded parts for one
application I support, mostly for price stability, and hopefully I will find
an appropriate electrical and mechanical bond system by the time I run out.
A nice side effect of RoHS, is that many companies are discounting their
lead parts. We picked up a nice stock of MicroChip [direct] parts from
.18-.40 cents on the dollar for example.
Chers,-jp