Dummies provide lead-free evaluation

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jul 26, 2002

Practical Components has added tin/bismuth and nickel/palladium to its line of qualified alloys for the evaluation and optimisation of lead-free assemblies and processes.

Practical Components has added tin/bismuth (Sn/Bi) and nickel/palladium (Ni/Pd) to its line of qualified alloys for the evaluation and optimisation of lead-free assemblies and processes.

The company can now supply "dummy" SMT components in 100% tin, nickel/barrier, Sn/Ag/Cu, Sn/Ag, Sn/Ag/In/Cu and Sn/Cu in addition to the Sn/Bi and Ni/Pd formulations.

Not all formulations are available in all package types, but most combinations can be accommodated.

Practical's expansive line of lead-free packages includes: uBGA, FlipChip, CABGA/CTBGA, TABGA/flexBGA, PBGA, QFP, TQFP, LQFP, TSOP, PLCC, SOIC, capacitors and resistors.

The dummy components are exact mechanical equivalents of live components used when only the physical properties of the components are required.

These components can cost as much as 80% less than live components making the ideal for testing of solder processes, machine setup and other process evaluations.