The Importance of Building Lead-Free and RoHS Compliant PCBs
2022-11-01
Introduction
Lead is a toxic metal that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. It can cause serious health and developmental problems in humans and animals.
Lead used to be an important component of PCBs and while electronic products containing lead have little effect in the hands of consumers. The leakage of lead from discarded electronics into the environment can have serious consequences.
The European Commission’s (EC) RoHS regulation issued on 1 July 2006. Aims to limit the damage caused by electronic waste, bringing about a huge shift in the PCB assembly and manufacturing process.
The ROHS Directive specifically prohibits electronic products that contain any of the following six hazardous substances at levels exceeding the specified levels:
- Lead Pb
- Cadmium Cd
- Mercury Hg
- Hexavalent Chromium Cr6+
- Polybrominated Biphenyls PBB
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers PBDE
Why is a lead-free and RoHS compliant PCB assembly important?
It has become more urgent for PCB manufacturers to establish a lead-free and RoHS compliant PCB assembly process, where non-compliance with RoHS can affect a company’s bottom line. Using lead-free solder instead of leaded tin solder can.
Environment Protection
Reducing or eliminating lead from PCBs helps prevent lead from contaminating the ground, air and water, thus protecting wildlife and public health.
In addition, lead-free PCBs are safer to recycle, which helps to minimize overall e-waste and ensures that scarce electronic resources remain in good supply.
Health Protection
Reducing the many negative health effects that can result from short-term and long-term exposure to lead. Manufacturing RoHS compliant products helps protect the workers who assemble and recycle printed circuit boards, as well as the children and other vulnerable groups who live with them.
Specific Geographic Areas Sales
California and all member states of the European Union prohibit the sale of products that do not meet RoHS standards. Then you need to ensure that the assembly process is ROHS compliant in order to do business in the EU.
Even if you do not have a presence in the EU, it is best to proactively plan to establish a ROHS-compliant lead-free PCB assembly process, as almost all major countries and states are already planning legislation that will restrict the use of hazardous and environmentally damaging substances in industrial processes in the EU.
Lead-free compliance with RoHS regulations can also improve your competitiveness in a global environment.
Reliability
By using lead-free soldering, tighter PCB mass assembly can be made faster and more cost effective.
Lead-free PCB assembly process
Analysis
Using the finished lead-free PCB prototype, the manufacturer compares the lead-free component design to the prototype to ensure compatibility with its components.
Solder paste inspection
Since Pb-free solder joints have a metallic appearance, which is very different from lead-based solder, manufacturers need to carefully inspect them to ensure that the solder joints are strong and reliable.
Bill of materials and component analysis
The customer must verify that the components in the BOM are made of lead-free materials.
Soldering
Perform lead-free through-hole soldering or manual soldering. Whether using SMT or THT technology, soldering must be lead-free.
Testing and packaging
Explore KingPCB lead-free PCB Services
- RoHS compliance
- Lead free material analysis
- Single-sided and double-sided lead-free assemblies
- Lead-free wave soldering
- Lead free selective soldering etc.
Find out more about how we supply lead-free PCBs and request a quote today.
