High-reliability, long-life materials for critical components in military, aerospace, certain medical devices and heavy equipment applications may still REQUIRE the use of lead (Pb) in solders and finishes, making them exempt from RoHS Compliance.

The Innov-X Systems Handheld XRF will quickly ID lead content in your critical components without harming the material.

Although alternate high-performance materials are quickly being developed, Sn is still the most widely used Pb-replacement metal. It is known to grow "whiskers", or filamentary corrosion, which can eventually short out the electronics. This could cause catastrophic problems in high-reliability, long-life applications such as satellite systems, medical implants, military weapons, and heavy equipment.

Other pure metal and alloy substitutes, such as Ag, Cu, Zn, Bi, In, Sb and Cd, are also potential causes of failure for electronic equipment if not used properly. These substitute materials must be developed, tested and monitored as quickly as possible to meet high-performance demands.

The extensive push for lead-free manufacture of consumer electronics and other products may put high-reliability, long-life components at risk in applications that simply cannot afford it. Consequently, incoming material and inventory stock for RoHS-exempt applications need to be screened to ensure Pb content.

Innov-X offers two cost-effective solutions for Handheld XRF measurements to positively ID Pb content - the Multi-element Alpha Analyzer and the Single-element Inspector Analyzer.