RoHS effect on PCB´s

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What effect on pcbs and other components has RoHS?

PCB Wave Soldering Machine

Lead-free soldering effects circuit boards and components through exposure to higher soldering temperatures which renders certain materials  unsuitable.

Typical temperature increase is  20C,  or 250C to 270C.

PCB construction as number of layers, blind and buried vias, overall thickness, copper thicknesses and number of passes through soldering processes are parameters that must be considered when materials are selected.

Tg (glass transition temperature) is  the main  parameter  for the pcb. Tg is a measure of when the EPOXY in the pcb softens (it has nothing to do with the glass fibre in the pcb).

Tg 130-140 was standard  for tin/lead based soldering temperatures while Tg 150 and Tg 170 is now generally required for lead free soldering, else delamination of circuit boards and “popcorning” of components  can take place.

It has since been well established that trapped moisture is the cause of the destruction, through high steam pressures building up at temperatures well over boiling inside the pcbs.  Some assemblers continue to use lower Tg pcbs successfully as long as these are stored in temperature and moisture controlled environments.

Pre-baking immediately prior to population and soldering of all none ROHS compliant  components  or improperly stored components can enable safe use of such components  including pcb’s.  Please contact Shipco circuits for more information.

Look also at Board Built Up page