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AEM Tin Whisker Mitigation Sn/Pb conversion process equipment and components

Tin Whisker Mitigation

AEM's Sn/Pb Conversion Process

For mission-critical applications requiring high reliability and tin whisker risk mitigation, AEM has devised a proprietary aerospace-qualified tin/lead (Sn/Pb) conversion process designed to virtually eliminate the formation of tin whiskers on surface-mount component terminations (including types with external terminals).

Eliminating tin whisker migration

Our proprietary plating process delivers superior quality while eliminating the potential damage to sensitive electronic devices caused by conventional hot-solder dipping.

AEM’s Sn/Pb conversion process is ideal for chip scale passive components including capacitors, inductors, resistors, ferrite chip beads, fuses, resistor arrays, capacitor arrays, bead arrays and many molded body passive and active surface mount component types.

Mission-critical reliability

When failure is not an option, AEM is your trusted partner.

We have a mature process and extensive experience providing TWM-conversion products since 2003, and we offer TWM services on the West Coast and East Coast.

Reach out about Tin Whisker Mitigation today

TWM with AEM

  • Includes both Sn/Pb plating and subsequent fusion processing to ensure that the resultant component termination finishes are a homogenous mixture of Sn/Pb.
  • Ensures that all areas of each component termination are converted to Sn/Pb (including termination locations in egress and wrap-around areas).
  • Includes monitoring of component quality going into and out of the Sn/Pb conversion process (QA1/QA2/ DPA – to verify solderability, leach resistance, and terminal adhesion strength).
  • Ensures that converted component terminations contain a minimum of 5% Pb as verified by SEM/EDS and XRF inspection methods.
  • May be followed by 100% electrical or customer specified up-screening activities. 100% visual inspection at 7X-10X magnification levels is performed by AEM on all Sn/Pb conversion lots.
  • Included within the scopes of AEM’s AS9100 and IS0 9001:2015 QMS Certifications.

AEM Services

  • Replating of most multi-layer chip components using AEM’s Tin Whisker Mitigation (TWM) process.
  • Base part sourcing from approved OEM distributors.
  • Up-screening and QCI per military standards.
  • DPA Analysis on a sample from each TWM lot.
  • Full warranty on all Sn/Pb terminated components.

AEM Facts

  • AEM is the world’s largest manufacturer of solid-body current limiting fuses and fusistors for the aerospace industry.
  • AEM is the world’s sole manufacturer of high-reliability ferrite chip beads.
  • AEM’s high-reliability fuses have been in orbit for 38 years with zero reported failures.

Examples of parts processed

  • Surface-Mount Capacitors
  • Surface-Mount Resistors
  • Surface-Mount Inductors
  • Surface-Mount Chip Beads
  • Surface-Mount Fuses
  • Surface-Mount Varistors
  • Leaded Components (consult factory)

Quality control laboratory

  • Incoming Inspection and Testing
  • Process Control Inspection
  • Product Reliability and Life Testing
  • Environmental Stress Screening
  • Product Traceability

Certifications & standards

  • AS9100 / IS0 9001:2015 Certified by TÜV Rheinland
  • MIL-PRF-23419/12 and /13 / MIL-STD-202 Certified Testing Laboratory
  • MIL-STD-790 Inspection System – DSCC/DLA Audited/Approved
  • SPC - Statistical Process Control implemented at critical process control points
  • Raw Material Control & Traceability
  • QPL listed for MIL-PRF-23419/12 (FM12), and MIL-PRF-23419/13 (FM13)
  • Hi-Rel Fuses
  • Meets EIA & EIAJ Standards
Tin Whisker Mitigation Process Block Diagram