[Elecraft] OT: News Article on "Tin Whiskers" Ruining Electronics

[Dick & Judy Lamb]

A recent Associated Press article discusses a topic that's received much 
attention on this reflector:   the negative consequences of 
environmental restrictions on lead in solder for electronics.  The 
primary concern the article mentions is that tin, when in an alloy 
absent of lead, promotes the spontaneous  growth of tiny  "tin whiskers" 
that can short traces in circuit boards.  Failures stemming from 
whiskers are cited in electronics ranging from consumer items to 
satellites. The article as it appeared in my local newspaper had a very 
dramatic photo of whiskers on a tin-plated tuning capacitor. 

 http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2007/10/06/news/doc4707c03901b23958789121.txt

I should note, for newcomers to the reflector, that Elecraft's list of 
approved solders specifically cautions against using any that are lead 
free:

http://www.elecraft.com/TechNotes/N0SS_SolderNotes/Elecraft-Recommended%20Solders%2009JAN2007.pdf     



Dick, K0KK