The Harting Technology Group has achieved compliance with the RoHS directive on virtually all its electrical and electronics connector ranges - well aheadof the directive coming into force on the 1st July 2006.
Many Harting products have been lead-free for some time, but connectors involving solder termination have traditionally relied on tin-lead coatingwhich is prohibited under the RoHS Directive. HARTING carried out exhaustivetests - both in its own laboratories and in conjunction with independent test houses - on alternative materials, before selecting pure tin with a matt surface as the optimum finish.
The use of matt tin virtually eliminates the possible formation of tinwhiskers - a possible cause of short circuits and equipment failures - whichcan occur with bright finishes. The material qualified and coated by Harting has shown no evidence of any visible whisker formation using optical microscopy.
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.
For connectors using solder-free connection techniques, HARTING hasdispensed with the use of pure tin completely because of its susceptibility to deformation caused by mechanical stresses. For press-fit, wire-wrap and crimp terminations, a nickel finish is used, while forinsulation-displacement connectors the choice is either nickel or gold.
All product versions are fully upward and downward compatible, and all typenumbers remain the same. Each outer packaging for compliant parts is marked with a RoHS-compliant diamond shaped logo. If the part is also lead-free, it is also marked with a round 'Pb free' logo.
Harting has worked very closely with its distribution network to ensure thatcompliant products are available to customers. Comments Product MarketingManager Kevin Canham: 'Over the past six months almost all deliveries havechanged to RoHS compliant parts, unless a specific customer has asked for non-compliance because of exemption.'