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Bourns Announces Revolutionary New Hot Dipped Tin Plating Process That Prevents Tin Whiskers

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.

About Bourns

Bourns, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and supplier of position and speed sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic components, microelectronic modules, panel controls and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, California, USA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including automotive, industrial, consumer, communications, non-critical life support medical (low/medium risk), audio and various other market segments. Additional company and product information is available at www.bourns.com.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Bourns® products have not been designed for and are not intended for use in "lifesaving," "life-critical" or "life-sustaining" applications nor any other applications where failure or malfunction of the Bourns® product may result in personal injury or death. See Legal Disclaimer Notice www.bourns.com/docs/legal/disclaimer.pdf

Agency Contact:
Annette Keller
Keller Communication
annettekeller1984@gmail.com
Company Contact:
David Scofield
Bourns, Inc.
(951) 781-5054
david.scofield@bourns.com