Riverside, Calif., February 10, 2009
Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced that the company is implementing the use of a revolutionary hot dipped tin plating process on its entire line of RoHS-compliant cermet wire terminal trimming potentiometers. A recommended technology by iNEMI, hot dipped tin plating is a proven tin whisker inhibiting process. This new plating process is environmentally-friendly, while providing a high level of reliability and product durability. The new hot dipped tin plating process also alleviates concerns OEMs may have with RoHS compliancy or the arduous process for certification. Bourns sought a new plating process from the industry-standard matte tin plating to improve quality, value and durability of its products to meet customer requirements. Bourns’ industry-leading trimming potentiometers are designed into a broad range of applications and industries that include consumer electronics, telecommunications, military, aerospace and medical.
Tin whiskers are electrically conductive, crystalline structures of tin that can grow from surfaces where tin is used as a final finish and can cause short circuits, interference and unreliability. Tin whiskers have been a concern since RoHS legislation mandated the removal of lead from the terminal plating of all electronic components. Bourns has been manufacturing RoHS-compliant trimming potentiometers with matte tin plating since the legislation became law. Based on new industry requirements and recommendations, Bourns implemented the new hot dipped tin plating process. Bourns will continue to offer non-RoHS compliant tin/lead plated products as customer demand warrants.
“Numerous electronic system failures have been attributed to short circuits caused by tin whiskers,” said Emill Melliz, potentiometer product line manager at Bourns. “We are confident that the breakthrough hot dipped tin plating process will become the industry-standard replacement for tin/lead plating. Demonstrating Bourns leading position in manufacturing highly reliable trimming potentiometers, this change in the plating process reflects the value we place on quality and exceeding the needs of our customers.”
Availability
Bourns’ entire RoHS-compliant line of trimming potentiometer products with hot dipped tin plating is available now. For complete model numbers and sizes, go to Bourns’ website at
/products/resistive-products.