The Harting Technology Group has achieved compliance with the RoHS directive on virtually all its electrical and electronics connector ranges, well ahead of the directive coming into force on the 1st July this year. While many Harting products have been lead-free for some time, connectors involving solder termination have traditionally relied on tin-lead coating, which is prohibited under the RoHS Directive. Seeking an alternative material, the company decided on pure tin with a matt surface as the optimum finish.
This virtually eliminates the possible formation of tin whiskers - a possible cause of short circuits - which can occur with bright finishes. Connectors based on this matt tin finish are suitable for use in modern high-temperature lead-free reflow soldering processes, where temperatures between 240°C and 270°C can be encountered.