Walter L. Winterbottom

Converting to lead-free solders: An automotive industry perspective

The solder tests currently used in defining solder alloy properties are not sufficient for selecting interconnect materials for improved reliability and reduced cost in automotive electronic applications. A “preventive” design approach based upon more accurate models of failure mechanisms and life prediction than are currently available will be required in order to assess solder alloys and to determine whether lead-free solders will provide improved reliability and lower-cost manufacturing options when compared to the lead-based solders currently used.

Candidate materials for the sulfur electrode current collector—III. Al/SiC composite materials

Abstract It has been previously found that aluminum and some of its alloys can be used as component materials in high temperature sodium/sulfur cells. The present study describes the electrochemical behavior of composite aluminum/silicon carbide materials in the polysulfide/sulfur melts at 350°C. Some of the composites studied have been found suitable to serve as the material, coating or lining of the positive current collector in Na-S cells.