RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

The Positive Impacts of RoHS Circuit Boards in Our

Environment

Safety should be an utmost concern when manufacturing a printed circuit board. PCB manufacturing
shouldn’t jeopardize the health and safety of people. Therefore, PCB assemblies process need to consider
environmental safety. Also, some substances used in manufacturing printed circuit boards are hazardous.
Therefore, there should be some restrictions on how these materials are widely used in PCB manufacturing.

The RoHS directive helps to regulate the use of harmful substances in PCBs. All PCB manufacturers need to
take responsibility for the products they manufacture. Some circuit boards are specially fabricated without
the use of certain harmful substances. The RoHS directive sees to the manufacturing of PCBs without some
restricted materials.

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Table of Contents

What Does RoHS Compliance Mean?

The European Union parliament passed bills that influenced the electronic industry. The Waste Electrical
& Electronic Equipment (WEEE) was the first legislation passed. Also, the second one was the Restriction
of Hazardous Substances.

RoHS prohibits the use of any restricted materials to manufacture electronic or electrical equipment. This
legislation became effective in 2006. Also, the directive aimed to ban the utilization of some harmful
materials in producing electronics and circuit boards. Any original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that
sells electronic products to European customers must adhere to RoHS compliance.

These materials include:

 Mercury
 Cadmium
 Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
 Lead
 Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
 Hexavalent chromium
 OCta PBDE
 Phthalates

Any printed circuit boards must not contain any of the materials listed above. Also, the RoHS compliance
includes the type of surface finish. The PCB surface finish must not feature any of these materials. Also,
RoHS bans the use of lead in manufacturing electronics within countries under the EU.

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Traditional solder usually comprise 40% lead and 60% tin. Also, manufacturers used solder in applications
within electronics and engineering. This means that a good amount of lead have ended up in landfills. Lead
contains a high level of toxicity which is harmful to humans and wildlife. Also, lead is toxic to food sources.
Therefore, this prevents the spread of this toxicity, the RoHS directive came into picture.

At first, the industry was resistant to these changes due to the initial lack of a good alternative to lead. Also,
there were reports that lead-free solder caused delamination to circuit boards. However, the RoHS go better
alternatives to lead. Therefore, various industries now adhere to RoHS compliance.

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Factors that Affect the Selection of RoHS Material

PCB manufacturers need to ensure the reliability of a circuit board while choosing a base material. Also,
these key properties help to select the base material of a circuit board

Moisture absorption

The pressure of water becomes higher at lead-free assembly temperature. During thermal cycling, absorbed
moisture can be volatile. Also, this can further cause delamination or voiding. PCBs that pass through
lead-free assembly testing may have some defects after storing them in an uncontrolled environment.
Therefore, when choosing materials for PCBs, manufacturers should consider this property.

Glass transition temperature

This property measures the point at which a material transforms form a glassy, rigid state to a liquid-like
state. Also, as glass transition increases, several properties change. For RoHS material, PCB manufacturers
should consider this property.

Delamination time

Delamination time relates to the adhesion between material components. Moisture absorption rate and
thermal expansion can affect results. It is crucial to treat the internal copper surfaces for multilayer PCBs.

Coefficients of thermal expansion

CTE values above glass transition are much greater than below glass transition. Also, Z-axis expansion
triggers stress on plated vias. The greater lead-free assembly temperatures lead to more expansion for a
particular material.

Importance of RoHS PCB Assembly

RoHS compliant PCBs are specifically designed for the safety of our environment. Maintaining the green
future is the greatest benefit of these PCBS.

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User safety

A RoHS compliant guarantees the safety of users. Most PCB manufacturers adopt RoHS compliance.
Therefore, users are guaranteed that the product they utilize contains no mercury or lead. Also, this has
tremendously increased the popularity and sales of the products.

Enhanced thermal properties

Lead-free circuit boards feature great thermal properties. Therefore, they perform better than their leaded
counterparts. These circuit boards can resist temperatures between -45oC to 150oC. These days,
manufacturers are making use of halogen-free materials that have improved thermal stability.

Reduces metal poisoning

Electronic consumers are discarding obsolete electronic devices in landfills. Also, these devices feature
hazardous materials which can result in severe poisoning. Despite recycling, these devices feature harmful
substance in them. Also, the RoHS has compelled OEMs to minimize the use of hazardous substances. This
has reduced the effect of these materials on the environment.

Product reliability

Most popular electronics manufacturers adopt RoHS directive. Also, customers are now guaranteed of the
reliability and safety of products. Therefore, this has helped to improve the reputation of brands that produce
RoHS compliant circuit boards.

Various improved testing methods

RoHS compliant circuit boards pass through improved testing methods. Also, RoHS PCBs use lead-free
solder finish. Chemistry methods and spectroscopy are two common methods used by RoHS. These method
determine the concentrations of restricted substances.

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Applications of RoHS Compliant PCB

RoHS compliant PCB is widely used in several applications. Environmental safety has become a major
concern for most industries. Also, the electronic industry has sought for ways to make electronic devices
more environmentally friendly. Therefore, RoHS compliant boards offer a lasting solution to this challenge.

Medical

RoHS compliant PCBs are widely used in the medical industry. Also, medical devices require the use of safe
PCBs. The restriction of specific hazardous materials is applicable to medical devices. Also, these circuit
boards are useful for producing safety-critical devices. The directive 93/42/EEC is a requirement for
medical devices.

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Telecommunications

RoHS compliant circuit boards are available in telecommunication devices. These boards have helped to
prevent environmental related risks.

Consumer electronics

The RoHS directive stresses the need for the use of RoHS compliant PCB in consumer electronics.
Therefore, consumer electronics like televisions and mobile phones feature lead-free PCBs. These lead-free
PCBs are safe for the environment.

RoHS Compliant Surface Finishes

Not all PCB surface finishes are RoHS compliant. A RoHS PCB must be completely free from any
hazardous materials listed by the RoHS directives. Lead-free finished add to the physical capabilities of
PCBs. Some PCB surface finishes are RoHS compliant. These surface finishes include:

Immersion tin

Immersion tin is a lead free PCB surface finish. Therefore it is RoHS compliant. Also, this lead-free surface
finish is suitable for fine pitch components. The immersion tin is a deposit if a layer of tin. Therefore,
immersion tin serves as a great alternative to lead-based finishes.

Immersion silver

This is another popular lead-free PCB surface finish. Immersion silver offers EMI shielding. Also,
immersion silver is ideal for membrane switches and aluminum wire bonding.

OSP

Organic solderability preservatives (OSP) surface finish has gained popularity over the years. This is
because of its interest in lead-free processes. Also, OSP produces a thin and protective layer on the copper
surface of circuit boards. This layer shields the circuitry from any oxidation during PCB assembly.

ENIG

Electroless nickel immersion gold is another lead-free surface finish. ENIG features two main layers of
metallic coating which are electroless nickel and immersion gold. Also, ENIG is RoHS compliant since it
features no lead. Therefore, ENIG is a highly preferred surface finish among PCB manufacturers.

Lead free HASL

Lead-free HASL complies with the RoHS directives. Unlike leaded HASL, lead-free HASL comprises no
lead. This surface finish option offers excellent solderability and shelf life. Also, it is ideal for
lead-free soldering.

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ENEPIG

Electroless nickel electroless palladium immersion gold (ENEPIG) is a lead-free PCB surface finish. Also,
this surface finish features nickel, palladium, and gold. The palladium layer shields the nickel layer from
any corrosion. ENEPIG is more affordable than ENIG since it doesn’t comprise gold.

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Impacts of Non-RoHS Compliant PCBs

Non-RoHS compliant PCBs or electronic parts do not only affect the customer, but also affect the supplier.
The production of non-compliant PCBs affects both the manufacturer and the customer. Before these
electrical and electronic products get to the final consumer, there is a need for shipping and packaging.

Also, the packaging process puts the lives of employees at risk. This is because they come in contact with
the harmful substances. Also, before these parts got to these employees, the manufacturer has been already
exposed to this toxicity.

However, the final destination of the non-RoHS part isn’t the consumer’s place. After the product has
become obsolete or damaged, the product ends in a landfill or recycling center. While the recycling facility
might be safer, the landfill isn’t safe. Since it is just a hole in the ground, water can move any amount of the
hazardous substances. This will end up polluting the ground as time goes on.

Furthermore, hazardous materials don’t degrade and they may continue to pass through the ground. In the
long run, they will end up in underground water or the ocean. Therefore, this will further pollute food
sources and wildlife.

Tuna is a good example of such pollution. This long-lived fish consumes hazardous substances in water.
Therefore, it comprises trace amounts of lead and mercury. This is a result of dumping hazardous substances
in oceans where long-lived fish have time to absorb these substances. One way or the other, hazardous
substances will always find a way into our environment.

How to Test Products for RoHS Compliance

You might be wondering how the RoHS directive tests electronic products to ensure compliance. Well, this
directive ensures it tests electronic products in a lab. Therefore, this procedure will help to determine the
amount of the restricted harmful substances. The RoHS directive conducts these tests:

 X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) utilizes X-ray to evaluate the levels of alloys and metals
within a product. This test is usually used for bromine.
 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM/EDX) identifies lead-free solder in the joints of a product.
 Atomic Absorbance Spectrophotometry (AAS) determines the amount of mercury and lead in a
product.

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 Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectrophotometer (FTIR) detects polymer in an electrical or

electronic product. It identifies bromine found in form or PBDE or PBB.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a RoHS certificate stay valid?

A RoHS certification will stay valid for a period of five years. There may be a need for early re-certification
if an electronic product goes through significant changes in materials or design.

Is RoHS applicable to plastics?

If an electronic or electrical device comprises a plastic component, the plastic must be RoHS compliant. This
is very important because some plastic materials contain toxic substances.

Is RoHS compulsory in Europe?

In all EU countries, all electronic or electrical equipment must be RoHS compliant. However, RoHS is
implemented differently in each EU member state. Therefore, electronics manufacturers importing their
products must be familiar with the individual measures implemented by each country.

Are there any exemptions from RoHS?

Yes, some products are currently exempted from RoHS compliance. Also, these exceptions cover different
types of industrial, medical, and military equipment. Parts of electrical equipment available in the market
before July 1, 2006 are exempt from RoHS. However, spare parts of newer electrical or electronic equipment
are not.

Are WEE and RoHS related?

Yes, WEE and RoHS directives are related. This is because the two directives focus on the safety of the
environment. The WEE focuses on encouraging electronic design with environmentally-safe recovery and
recycling. On the other hand, the RoHS focuses on regulating the amount of harmful substances used in
electronics manufacturing. Therefore, RoHS regulates the harmful substances in electronic products while
WEE focuses on these products’ disposal.

Conclusion

RoHS compliant PCB assemblies are safe for use in electronic manufacturing. Also, RoHS circuit boards
doesn’t compromise the quality of a printed circuit board. Lead-free PCBs can enhance the lifespan of an
electronic product. RoHS compliant PCBs comprise the use of lead-free stencils and lead-free surface finish.
Also, RoHS is applicable to electrical and electronic components.

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Compliance to the RoHS directive helps to assure standard electrical performance in a printed circuit board.
PCB assembly processes must involve the use of RoHS compliant materials and procedures.

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