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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Dendritic solder growths

I'm in need of detailed information in regards to Dendritic growth. I'm currently having issues with electronic ignition controls that appear to be due to Dendritic growth. I'm not familiar with this failure but am interested in getting all the detailed information about Dendritic Growth I can, so I can understand the failure mode and preventive measures for correcting this.

Stan Roberts
OEM of HVAC Equipment - Fayetteville, Tennessee, USA
2003

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May we assume you are referring to "whiskers" -- tin whiskers, zinc whiskers, etc?

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

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Ted,

My question pertains to solder joint corrosion and the use of silver solder to join copper to copper. What I've been told is that I'm having the formation of Dendritic growth on the PC board of these controls. What the supplier had indicated to me is it is a fern like growth that is caused from dendritic formation.

Stan Roberts
OEM of HVAC Equipment - Fayetteville, Tennessee, USA
2003

I am not sure that finishing.com is the most appropriate place for your question about soldering. What I can tell you is that the word dendritic refers to the solidification pattern of the solder material. Dendrites are the crystals that form as the phase change from liquid to solid occurs. When the solidification rate is slow and uniform in all directions, the dendrites grow in a pattern that resembles fern leaves. You should discuss this issue with an expert in soldering, perhaps from your vendor of the solder material.

Toby Padfield
- Michigan
2003

Usually dendrites will grow if the chemical composition is not balanced. May be lack of additive. Some chemical supplier usually give troubleshooting about this problem.

Alidah
- Bintan, Indonesia
2003