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Product category: Compliance Engineering
News Release from: E-Certa | Subject: Component Pb conversion
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 17 August 2007

Preconditioning for component Pb
conversion

Joel Deutsch and Michael Baker explain how proper preconditioning allows older ICs and semiconductor devices to be converted to become RoHS compliant.

Preconditioning is the term for reworking of individual electronic components before assembly in an application This term can be used to include processes like preforming, crimping, trimming or re-tinning

However, in this article it is used specifically to refer to re-tinning procedures to change the solder type on the termination leads.

So can leaded ICs be converted to be RoHS compliant? Yes.

We're talking about a physical process to convert the Pb status of semiconductors.

This process uses widely accepted practices to replace solder on components, but adds some key steps to ensure RoHS compliance when converting to Pb free.

As the solder found on the termination finish of most semiconductors is the only area of concern regarding RoHS compliance, this method can be used to successfully convert a component from containing Pb and failing RoHS to being Pb free and RoHS compliant.

Although this process can be used as a viable solution to supply chain issues, there are some important factors to consider in order to optimise the process for RoHS compliant conversion, reliability, cost effectiveness and other component integrity issues.

The practice of preconditioning components for tin whisker mitigation has been around since the 1950s.

Military/aerospace, medical and others who need exceptionally high reliability rates in components have used preconditioning when necessary in order to achieve their application requirements.

It is our position that this same preconditioning process, with some vitally important adjustments, can also be used to successfully re-tin components to a Pb free solder type and reduce the risk of tin whiskering at the same time.

Pb conversion for RoHS compliance is being used by many in the industry to solve supply chain issues and leftover inventory problems.

With this new process, the possibility to convert existing inventory to Pb free for use in current, RoHS regulated applications has become a viable option.

OEMs can take advantage of this process to save dollars when sourcing parts and also to reuse inventory that was made obsolete by RoHS regulations.

Let's take a look at a study by Technology Forecasters to see who is already using conversion to Pb free to their advantage.

Founded in 1987, TFI is a leading research and consulting firm specialising in global outsourcing for the electronics manufacturing industry and on profitable environmental compliance and leadership.

Its service is used by companies like: Microsoft, Jabil, Cisco, Altera, E-Certa and many more.

According to TFI, over half of electronic product companies plan to convert components for RoHS compliance.

In the benchmarking study "Gauging environmental preparedness and recommendations for best practices" (December 2006), approximately half (52%) of the electronic-product companies surveyed are converting or plan to convert the lead (Pb) status of some of their components.

Also in the same study, although most OEMs converting components to Pb free have started with conversions of standard off-the-shelf components (70%), many are also converting end-of-life inventory components (35%) and some high-end components (29%).

Converting parts from Pb to Pb-free can be performed on a wide variety of part types.

However, it should be noted that is more cost effective in some scenarios than in others.

Components that typically can be sourced for less than a few dollars each are sometimes cheaper to buy new than to convert.

These parts can still be candidates for conversion when end of life, allocation or other supply chain problems affect sourcing, but generally can be sourced new for close to the same cost to convert.

On the other end of the scale, many high end components can be converted for significantly less than their cost new.

This can save OEMs substantial dollars while also providing a means to use their existing inventory leftover from pre-RoHS sourcing.

Many OEMs have found conversion to be a great tool to solve budgeting and obsolete inventory issues.

When considering conversion, there are some things that an OEM should look for in a company that converts components to RoHS compliance.

First, what testing is done to ensure RoHS compliance? Is there a step in the process for conversion that removes the restricted elements from the device?.

Secondly, what standards are used to convert the components? Are there widely accepted standards used in the processes at the company? Is there any accreditation or outside certification?.

And thirdly, there need to be suf