This Bulletin provides a brief description of tin whisker formation and describes various methods recommended by government and industry to reduce the risk of tin whisker-induced failures in electronic hardware. It is not a mandate nor does it contain any requirements. A tin whisker is a single crystal that emerges from tin-finished surfaces. Tin whiskers can pose a serious reliability risk to electronic assemblies that have pure tin finish. The general risks fall into several categories: [1, 2, 3, 8, 16] Short Circuits: The whisker can create a short circuit, either by 1) growing from an area at one potential to an area at another or 2) breaking free and later bridging these areas. In some cases, these shorts may be permanent and cause catastrophic system failures. A transient short may result if the available current exceeds the fusing current of the whisker, and the whisker can fuse open.
This standard documents and establishes common industry practices, and screening and qualification testing, of plastic encapsulated discrete semiconductors (PEDs) for use in military and avionics application environments.
This document establishes the requirements for screening, qualification, and lot acceptance testing of Plastic Encapsulated Discrete Semiconductors (PEDS) for use in space application environments. The scope of this document is intended for standard silicon based technology only, but the process and methodology described within can be adopted for other technologies such as Silicon Carbide, Gallium Nitride, and Gallium Arsenide. However, when non-silicon based technology parts are being used, the device characterization shall be modified, and it is recommended to use available industry standards based upon published research/testing reports for those technology to address applicable physics of failure.
This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) documents and establishes common industry practices, and screening and qualification testing, of Plastic Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEMs) for use in military and avionics application environments.
This document establishes common industry practices and recommended screening, qualification, and lot acceptance testing of Plastic Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEMs) for use in space application environments.