The transition to lead-free solders seems to be a foregone conclusion with Japan and Europe leading the way. Indeed some key companies will move to lead free soon and the WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment will require all companies doing business in the EU to transition to lead-free. Compliance with forthcoming lead-free regulations will ultimately fall to individual companies and the engineers responsible for design and prod- tion of electronic products and they must be prepared with adequate knowledge of the materials that are leading candidates and they...

The transition to lead-free solders seems to be a foregone conclusion with Japan and Europe leading the way. Indeed some key companies will move to lead free soon and the WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment will require all companies doing business in the EU to transition to lead-free. Compliance with forthcoming lead-free regulations will ultimately fall to individual companies and the engineers responsible for design and prod- tion of electronic products and they must be prepared with adequate knowledge of the materials that are leading candidates and they...