Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1529411
60 PCB007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2024 good and no one's forcing me to change, so why should I? Why would I take the risk?" Of course, qualification of products also plays in, but with so much to be gained, it is worth a hard look. We seem to be missing some of those "cowboys" today. With sustainability such a looming issue, maybe this discussion will prompt a champion to emerge. Carano: Since we're starting to pour so much money into chips, it's time to raise the flag and say we can lower the amount of gold, palla- dium, and precious metals required by using something like tin-nickel. It is an ideal fin- ish for highly corrosive or harsh use environ- ments. It will not corrode. You will never have to deal with creep corrosion when there is sul- fur in the atmosphere, or chlorides and nitric fumes that can negatively impact finishes like silver, electroless nickel, and immersion gold. Also, it's whisker free. Holden: It is particularly good for contacts, relays, gold connectors, those kinds of things. Connectors are part of printed circuit boards as a component. Companies like SpaceX, which is building satellites, rocket engines, and other things that have to withstand heat and cold, should be interested. is metal will tol- erate all of that. However, one problem might be that there is no commercial tin-nickel avail- able anymore. Carano: I don't think that's a problem; it could easily be brought back. e formula is still there. ere just needs to be demand. If someone wants to champion this, how would they get it going? Carano: Electrochemicals could revive it. You just need to say, "Let's do this again." You need to do it properly, but it could be very easily done, no question about it. Sometimes it only takes one fabricator. Sustainability will be key. Apple is asking all its suppliers now about their sustainabil- ity programs and goals. In Europe, they have to provide an estimated total carbon footprint. e OEMs will likely need to push this harder for fabricators to think about doing things differently. There has to be cost advantages. Everyone wants to be sustainable when it makes good business sense for them to do so. Sustainabil- ity must be practiced in your business as well as the environment. Carano: Yes, but we've always been good about watching the bottom line for our businesses. IPC does a survey every few years asking man- ufacturers about their greatest concerns. e responses most oen include worrying about PFAS, recycling, and water consumption. But even with all those worries, no one seems to be doing anything about it. I believe there are opportunities here. I'm not saying it will be a cure-all, but it could be another high-value option. Mike and Happy, thank you for talking about tin-nickel today. It is definitely worth taking another look. Carano: I agree, Marcy. ank you. PCB007 " Our boards are still good and no one's forcing me to change, so why should I? "