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Huckleberry
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http://img48.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tinwhiskersscan2tc0.jpgThey've ruined missiles, silenced communications sattelites and forced nuclear power plants to shut down. Pacemakers, consumer gadgets and even a critical part of a space shuttle have fallen victim.
The culprits? Tiny splinters - whiskers, they're called - that sprout without warning from tin solder and finishes deep inside electronics. By some estimates, the resulting short-circuits have leveled as much as $10 billion in damage since they were first noticed in the 1940s
Florida Today - Sunday, Oct 7, 2007.
Just recently where I work we had a large amount of electronics parts shipped back to us because some terminals had tin plating. I have never seen these tin whiskers before and I can't find a good explanation for what causes them to grow. There is a decent picture of some severe growth in the article.The article also states that Europe has barred lead from most electronic components, and I assume that a tin-based solder will be substituted.
Any ideas on what might cause this, or what will happen as all of these lead free electronics age?