Zierick Manufacturing has issued this document in response to the directive of the European Parliament and the council of the European Union on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS Directive).
Lead (Pb) has been identified by the Directive as a hazardous substance and is not to exceed a ppm of 1000. Zierick’s line of through hole and surface mount connectors that are provided in continuous reel format have, until recently, been plated with a 95% tin / 5% lead finish over copper.
We have received requests from many of our customers to supply lead-free plating. Consequently, we made the following changes to our product line:
- As of December 31, 2004, Zierick ceased the use of lead in our plating baths.
- Since January 1, 2005 Zierick has continued to ship the 95% tin / 5% lead plated parts stock and will do so until our stock is exhausted.
- Previously, products supplied in a continuous reel format and 95% tin / 5% lead plating were identified with -6 suffix. The new lead-free parts have no suffix in the part number. EXAMPLE: Part Number 6021-6 with lead will become Part Number 6021.
Zierick is in full compliance with the RoHS Directive, with a trace amounts of Pb in its products falling well below the maximum limit ppm. These changes have had no negative effects on the quality of Zierick’s products. Zierick has been supplying loose piece PCB terminals with 100% tin plating for many years. The parts have exhibited excellent solderability based on over thirty (30) years of usage in a variety of applications. We have used the same solderability testing method on both types of plating with no noticeable difference in results. Customers have been very satisfied with the performance of all of the lead-free parts.
In addition to lead, the Directive has also identified the following as hazardous and established the following maximum limits for each substance. Please note that none of these substances were ever used in any aspect of Zierick’s manufacturing or products and we intend to continue with the current practice.
- Cadmium (Cd), Maximum Limit (ppm) of 100
- Mercury (Hg), Maximum Limit (ppm) of 1000
- Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6), Maximum Limit (ppm) of 1000
- Poly Brominated Biphenyl (PBB), Maximum Limit (ppm) of 1000
- Poly Brominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE), Maximum Limit (ppm) of 1000
Again, we would like to reiterate that the above substances are absent from Zierick Manufacturing’s parts and processes. If you have any questions or concerns regarding Zierick’s RoHS compliance and the switch to lead-free, please contact our corporate office at (800) 882-8020.
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