Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1528798
54 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2024 Electronic devices are ubiquitous, perform- ing critical functions in a wide range of appli- cations, from consumer electronics to aero- space, medical devices, automotive systems, and industrial control systems. Many of these devices operate in harsh environments charac- terized by extremes in temperature, humidity, pollution, and chemical exposure. While advances in electronics design and manufacturing have vastly improved reliabil- ity and performance, the challenges posed by these conditions have driven an increas- ing focus on one key factor: contamina- tion (particularly ionic residue) on circuit assemblies. In these harsh environments, even small amounts of contamination can have significant consequences, notably the increased risk of electrochemical migration (ECM). I'll explore how harsh environments reduce the tolerance for residue on circuit assemblies, thereby exacerbating the risk of ECM, a fail- ure mode that threatens the reliability of elec- tronic systems. The Impact of Harsh Environments on Residue Tolerance The Knowledge Base by Mike Konrad, SMTA