Cookson Electronics launches ZERO halogen initiative

Citation

(2008), "Cookson Electronics launches ZERO halogen initiative", Circuit World, Vol. 34 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.2008.21734cad.003

Cookson Electronics launches ZERO halogen initiative

Article Type: New products From: Circuit World, Volume 34, Issue 3

Cookson Electronics is launching its ZERO halogen initiative, for ALPHA^® branded products, to assist electronics assemblers in the selection of materials that have either ZERO halogen content or only trace levels, based on published industry standards.

Concerns are increasing among assemblers who want to limit the potentially negative environmental and human health impact of halogens used in their products. The by-products of the incomplete combustion of circuit boards and electronic products that contain halogens can include: dioxin and furan-like compounds and acidic or corrosive gasses. This potential toxicity issue is the reason why many companies are implementing controls to limit or eliminate halogens from their products processes.

“Halogenated compounds can be found in printed circuit boards (PCBs), solder masks, mould compounds, connectors and other products often found in electronic products,” said Bruce Moloznik, VP Global Marketing, Cookson Electronics. “Given the rising concern regarding the potential human health and environmental dangers posed by halogens, we have initiated an ongoing process to certify ALPHA^® products that have ZERO halogen content and those considered halogen-free according to published IPC, International Electrochemical Commission (IEC) and JPCA standards.”

The current list of ALPHA^® certified Zero halogen (no halogen content) products are:

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  Solder pastes – ALPHA OM-338 PT, ALPHA OM-338 T, ALPHA OM-338 CSP, ALPHA OM-345, ALPHA OM-340.

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  Fluxes – LPHA SLS 65, ALPHA SLS 65 C.

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  Cored solder wire – ALPHA SMT +.

The current list of ALPHA^® certified Halogen-free (<900 ppm Br, <900 ppm Cl, and <1500 ppm combined Br and Cl) products per published IPC, IEC and JPCA standards are:

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  Solder pastes – ALPHA OM-325, ALPHA OM-350.

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  Fluxes – ALPHA EF-Series, ALPHA RF-800.

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  Cored solder wire – ALPHA Telecore Plus.

The use of materials that have no halogens in their original formulation is the ideal way to eliminate these materials as possible halogen sources. Given the many different sources of halogens and the minimal environmental impact that low levels present, most organizations have adopted the levels developed by the IEC as their final assembled product. These levels are: <900 ppm chlorine, <900 ppm bromine and <1500 ppm total halogens. Halogens are different than halides. A halide is a halogen that had collected an additional electron and has become ionic. Halides are associated with reliability issues in electronics when left uncontained.

For more information about halogens and ALPHA^® products, visit the web site: www.halogenfreesoldering.com