Whiskers , not the cat variety

Channel Hopper

Since the ban on lead in solder, multiple failures (usually expensive) have been attributed to the growth of metallic 'crystals' between circuit board tracks.

_http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/apr/03/research.engineering

A lot of people have stockpiled ye olde 60 /40 multicore as it 'tins' better than the modern equivalent, but I have found that disconecting the equipment from the power supply (and removing any lithium battery in PC/laptops) before giving a good going over with a stiff toothbrush, resolves 90% of the issues.

Please do so in a ventilated area though, and if possible, use a breathable mask.

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Llew

Good to remind us about it again CH

Tin Whiskers

Llew

Celebrating Ten Years Of The Forum As A Founder Member

Channel Hopper

Ah, but my post mentions the efficaciousness of a nice stiff one.

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

amazing1000

60/40 solder is still available, and to be honest can't see why it was supposed to be banned as I for one have used it for past 49 years with no harm as far as I can see, and continue to use it.
Ok there is proof that lead is poisonous, but today most service people have extractors on their solder stations, and for the guy who only uses an iron once in a blue moon can't see any problem.

Robbo

It is not the using of it that is the real problem, as that can be easily remedied with local extraction/filtering. The problem is when the products containing the lead are disposed of.

I also have a couple of reels of the good stuff stashed away, which I bring out whenever any soldering is required.

amazing1000

Ok.
Any body needs it you can get it from Rapid.