Internet commentary
Internet commentary
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [1]
Keywords: Internet, Lead-free solder, Coatings
Earlier this year, in Volume 14, Number 1, I did a review of a number of web sites relating to lead-free soldering. Please let me quote from my final paragraph: "The one thing that has become apparent in the hundred or so pages that I looked at to write this article and that is the paucity of scientific information on the hazards that lead in solder may present. This tends to confirm my opinion that the whole movement towards lead- free soldering in electronics is based on the dirty buzzword 'lead', rather than a reasoned and a reasonable action. As I said at the beginning of this section, this is a highly emotional subject, as well as having severe negative impacts on the economy of the electronics industry and the reliability of its products. Additionally, it is probable that the environmental damage done as a result of introducing lead-free electronics is considerably greater than it would have been if the status quo had been allowed to continue – not to mention the pollution caused by all the hot air that comes out of the mouths of the proponents and opponents! In any case, the holistic answer to the problem is recycling the solder which is relatively easy and economical, once the infrastructure is in place (in Europe,it will have to be put in place within a few years, as well as going mandatorily lead-free, a paradox). This would allow lead to be continued in use without any of the pretended risk. This easy solution to the whole problem hardly came up,at all, in my search. Why?".
At the time that I wrote these words, I did not know that a researcher,Warburg, at the University of Stuttgart Department of Life-cycle Engineering,was studying the environmental cost of going lead-free. The results of his studies have more than confirmed my belief that we are going to create a great deal more harm by enforcing the use of lead-free solder than we ever possibly could do by remaining with our good, old, tin- lead alloys. The original presentation of these data was in German, but Mr. Peter Roth kindly translated it into English and submitted the translation to the original author. The latter approved it and it has now been published and can be found on my Web site at http:// www.protonique.corn/download(I am grateful to the author and translator for the opportunity to make this available).
This study clearly shows that the environmental cost of tin-lead solders is less than that of nearly all the possible substitutes, and especially those that contain silver, even in small quantities. The research was done on a"cradle-to-grave" basis, including a considerable number of variables. In other words, it is pure folly to think that lead-free equates to environmentally-friendly. The European technocrats and politicians who have supported this must be made to rethink the damage that they are about to cause to the world we live in.
On the other hand, I strongly support the notion of recycling the solder on electronics assemblies. This view is not based on the tiny risk that lead may present in solder, because this is probably totally insignificant. It is based on the fact that our resources are not infinite and we have a bounden duty not to squander them by simply dumping the waste electronics into landfills or incinerators. I refuse to enter into arguments regarding the economy of recycling because this does not enter into it, even though a number of indications show that recycling solder could be profitable or, at least,marginally so.
I appeal to my readers to:
- 1.
Read again, carefully, what I have written earlier
- 2.
Go through the Web sites which I reviewed on pages 59 and 60 of Volume 14,Number 1, of this journal
- 3.
Read the University of Stuttgart presentation at http://www.protonique.com/download
- 4.
Draw your conclusion and, if you agree with me, make an effort – any effort – to try and put this stupid European legislation where it belongs,in the dustbin (or trash can, for our American friends).
I believe that it is not too late for the European Union to reverse their decision, although it will be a very uphill struggle at this late stage. In the name of sanity, let us wrestle against these principalities and powers!
For my review section, this issue, I propose to examine a few sites on conformal coating. The first that came up on Google was,
This Web site is very amateurish in appearance, and is commercial, under the guise of purely technical information. Unfortunately, there are many pages which are incomplete. These criticisms apart, it is an excellent resource location for finding out all you need to know about Parylene. This product is probably the best conformal coating that exists for the majority of applications and its unique characteristics make it mandatory for certain jobs. The Web site itself is very informative. I did have one difficulty with my Netscape browser crashing during the downloading of one of the pages but it is always possible that this will not happen with a different set-up. Despite its drawbacks, anyone requiring information on conformal coating must consult this Web site! However, be aware that there are other companies capable of Parylene coating.
This is a page from the Web site of another contract manufacturer offering conformal coating services. It consists of a small series of Frequently Asked Questions about the subject and is quite useful. However, in my opinion, some of the information offered may be misleading. For example, it is stated that the moisture resistance of silicone coatings is similar to that of other types,which is simply not true. In fact, it is well known that silicone coatings offer the least moisture resistance of all types. My advice is therefore to read this page carefully but to check any data that may be critical to your application.
This is a page of the site of a company manufacturing fixtures to hold printed circuits during the conformal coating process. Unlike the previous ones,this is artistically quite attractive as well as being informative about the subject under consideration. What is perhaps not apparent is that clicking on the link at the bottom left of the page changes the text on the right-hand side,so that it toggles between a description of the jigs and a list of benefits from using them. The price paid for this is that the page is moderately long to download, although acceptably so.
This site belongs to a company offering a number of contracting services within the industry. The page is a comparison guide of the four Principal liquid conformal coating types, again - perhaps needing some interpretation. In fact,it is stated that it is advisable to consult the company before choosing a specific type. It is a pity that the pages of this company are demeaned by some rather unfunny animated cartoons.
This company is internationally known for specialising in conformal coating technology. It supplies both equipment and materials, so that it is a one-stop port of call. However, I do not consider that this is a very attractive site,albeit quite functional. The page in question takes the form of a "Welcome"page, also offering the latest news. Amusingly, this latter section is entitled,"New This Month! Last updated: 01/01/l 970", but do let me assure you that the news is not over 30 years old!
This is a NASA PDF document, entitled, "Workmanship standard for staking and conformal coating of printed wiring boards and electronic assemblies". Be warned, it is about 2.7 megabytes long so that it may take a considerable time to download if the connection between the server and your computer is slow. Some 60 pages long, it is very comprehensive and is worth reading by anybody who has anything to do with conformal coating. Most of the data contained therein is good and accurate, although some of the test methods go back as long as 30 years, even though the document is dated 1999, and have long since been abandoned by many, in favour of more modem methods. I consider it well worth the effort to download and print out this document.
This is an introductory page for machines for spraying conformal coatings. It is quite interesting because one of the machines claims that it eliminates the need for masking areas which must not be coated. This being so, it could cut overall costs considerably, all other things being equal. What I found the most interesting is that the spray head has four-dimensional controls. For those wanting more details than the brief summary offered by this page, it is possible to download a PDF file giving full descriptions of each machine.
This is a remarkably uninformative page devoted to two types of product for conformal coating. The essential characteristics of these products are missing other than the fact that the maker claims a low modulus of elasticity,temperature resistance up to 1258C and one or two component formulations. Could do better!
This is the first site that has given a certain priority to the environmental issues engendered by conformal coating. The page describes a machine that is claimed to provide a unique means of applying conformal coatings, especially those which are solvent-free. It is difficult to see exactly what is unique about this machine without looking into subsequent pages and opening a rash of PDF files. However, anything which improves the sustainability of the environment must be a positive step forward and this page may be a good starting point to anyone in the process of selecting new machinery.
This page offers links to two conformal coating products from one of the world's leading silicone producers. Unfortunately, following the links does not give you a great deal of information, which is available in PDF files, but only on condition that you register with the company. I consider this a detestable imposition that is tantamount to an invasion of privacy. In this particular case, registration requires a number of indiscretions which are of no concern whatsoever to a potential supplier. I strongly recommend that you think carefully before completing such a registration form.
Personally, I am not an amateur of web pages which are difficult to read and this, unfortunately, is not the best. It describes another conformal coating machine which claims a very high precision and low emissions of smells. Unfortunately, like many other sites, this one does not offer a great deal of technical information, but is rather an emotive soft sell page, This is not to say that the equipment is likely to meet your requirements or otherwise, but there is simply no way of finding out from the Web site, as far as I can make out. This is a pity because I feel that it defeats the purpose of a Web site.
This is quite an interesting page because it shows a number of short videos,demonstrating the different types of heads used in the particular manufacturer's machines. It therefore gives a better idea of how conformal coating can be applied with the necessary precision. The videos are in Quicktime format,perhaps not the best for this kind of application but nevertheless sufficient for the job. Of course, it requires a Quicktime plug-in on your browser and, if you do not have it already, it can be a bit of a pain to install, especially if you have to go through a firewall which may prevent access to the necessary files on the Internet during the installation process. I am not usually in favour of videos on the Internet but this kind of application is the exception that proves the rule because it does show something useful and not just decorative.
If this Internet Commentary is somewhat shorter than usual, please excuse me. This is because my right hand is currently out of action and I am finding it very difficult to use the mouse or the keyboard very effectively. Hopefully, it will be back to normal by the time you read the next issue of your favourite journal.
Brian EllisCyprusb_ellis@protonique.com
Note1. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;Above all, taking the shield of faith,wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.St Paul's letter to the Ephesians ch. 6, v. 12
