TIL computers can sometimes grow crystals
TIL computers can sometimes grow crystals
Tin in solder or some other meals can form spiky crystals when under stress. These whiskers can form short circuits if not properly insulated or not alloyed with other metals.
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Fun fact: Leaded solder is still required in aircraft because it doesn't grow whiskers like this, while pure tin solder does.
Tin whiskers have also been identified as the cause of some satellites going down too, so spacecraft definitely still using leaded solder.
https://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/failures/index.htm
Also recommend looking at the homepage of that site. Lots of cool pictures and research papers on metal whiskering.
And the thermal properties in general are better (or better known) too for leaded I think.
It’s a real shame about the brain damage, lead really is an amazing metal
Asbestos are awesome too.
Also spacecraft. Its even worse in a vacuum.
Also it doesn't suffer from tin plague so much
Tin is a prima donna metal. Grows conductive whiskers if you use it as a conductor, gets brittle if it gets cold and just makes things softer when alloyed. It's like it only wants to be looked at.