The breakthrough of Immersion Silver as a Circuit Board Surface in Europe 

 
Whether if it is electroless Nickel/Immersion Gold, Immersion Ag or Immersion Sn: all these circuit board solder surfaces are lead-free and have already been delivered as identical versions in the past.
Lead-free HAL is merely a new player in this game. 

Since 1998 we have been paying particular attention at Würth Elektronik to a leadfree surface in silver (immersion silver)! 
 
In spite of enthusiastic approval and market penetration, silver has only achieved marginal acceptance in German-speaking countries up to now.
 
Only after discussions about lead-free products began, did this surface become a center of focus for us, too, and its specific advantages are now clearly demonstrated.
 
There are many good reasons for using immersion silver circuit board solder surfaces:
 
• Very reliable lead-free surface for stable solder connections
• High degree of processing precision in SMD mounting due to extremely even coatingthickness
• Suitable for the high demands of fine-pitch / microvia due to very planar surfaces
• Outstanding solderability even after multiple soldering operations and with lead-free solders
• Milder process conditions than e.g. HAL and thus avoidance of possible damage to the circuit
  board, along with comparable reliability of the soldering connection
• No migration
• Cost-saving potential compared with other lead-free surfaces
• Use with leaded and lead-free solders
• Suitable for multiple reflow assembly
 
And now there is another: 12-month shelf life for immersion silver

The Immersion Silver solder surface of Würth Elektronik contains an organic inhibitor that protects the silver from tarnishing and thus improves shelf life and behaviour in multiple soldering processes. This feature makes Immersion Silver a very attractive alternative; for many applications, it is even preferred over other surface types.
 
A further click for more information about immersion silver (issue: 02/2005).