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Analyses of electronics
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THE RoHS DIRECTIVE
The RoHS directive of the EU prescribes that lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium in electric and electronic equipment shall be substituted by July 1, 2006. The flame retardants PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and PBB (polybrominated biphenyls) are used e g in thermoplastics and rubber. These so-called additive flame retardants do not react chemically with the plastic and are therefore more easily released. For these compounds a solvent extraction is done before the measurement by GC-MS. As an alternative to analyses for flame retardants, we also offer screening analyses of halogens (OE-34). |
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ALS Scandinavia offers custom-designed analytical packages for electrical and electronical products according to the standards of the International Electotechnical Commission (IEC). ALS Scandinavia has a long experience of chemical analysis of electrical and electronical components. Since 2005, we participate in IEC's working group for the development of standard methods for RoHS analyses. Furthermore, ALS Scandinavia is one of 20 selected laboratories worldwide that participates in the intercalibration of these methods.
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WHAT DO THE PRODUCTS CONTAIN?
The rules require manufacturers to provide information on the materials occurring in their products. The products themselves often consist of numerous components from different sources, which implies that extensive collection and evaluation of information from subcontractors may be required before the contents of a final product can be declared. In this situation it may be advantageous to submit the entire product, or selected product components, to a chemical analysis.
ALS Scandinavia has a long experience of making material declarations for electrical and electronical products. Please contact the laboratory to discuss scope and price.
Larger companies within several industry branches, e.g., electronics, telecommunication and motor industry, have published lists of elements and chemical compounds that may not be present in their products. Subcontractors thus have to prove that these compounds can not be detected (at concentrations above applicable limit values). ALS Scandinavia performs analyses according to branch specific and company specific lists. Please contact the laboratory for further information. |
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Nickel may cause allergic contact dermatitis (nickel sensitivity). The surface concentration of Ni can be determined for various products according to the standard SS-EN 1811. The product is then leached in a weak salt solution for a week and the leachate is analyzed for Ni. The limit value according to SS-EN 1811 is 0.5 mg/cm2 per week.
ALS Scandinavia also offers a number of methods for analysis of the very toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI] or Cr6+). A simple rub test gives qualitative data, while extraction with boiling water gives quantitative data. These methods are described in the IEC standard methods document for the RoHS Directive.
INCREASED RECYCLING
Electrical and electronical equipment contain compounds of interest from an economical as well as an environmental point of view (e.g., mercury). Recycling and producer responsibility are controlled both on a national level and within the EU (the WEEE Directive).
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SAMPLE PREPARATION
ALS Scandinavia's analytical procedure for circuit boards and other electronic material begins by grinding the entire sample to fragments smaller than 2 mm. This is done both in order to facilitate the following chemical treatment and to homogenize the sample so that a representative subsample can be taken for the analysis. Sometimes certain parts, such as steel covers and magnets, must be removed before grinding. The reason for this may be that the parts are not grindable, but also that too large amounts of certain elements, such as aluminium, can interfere with the analyses. All removed material is sent back to the customer and is reported as removed weight in the analysis report. Separate analyses of removed material (e g screws, turnings) can be done (prices are given on request). The sample preparation included in the package prices applies to circuit boards of normal size. For very large or very small samples, please contact the laboratory for price information.
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SAMPLE DIGESTION (ELEMENTS)
A subsample of the ground material is leached with aqua regia (a 3:1 mixture of hydrochloric/nitric acid). This acid mixture effectively dissolves most metals being used in electronic equipment. Some materials, such as polymers and ceramic materials, are however not dissolved. This means that for some elements, the multi-element screening and E-1a do not give the total content. In order to determine the total content of such elements, a complementary analysis (E-1b) must be carried out on the residue from the leach. This is done following fusion of the residue with a flux. |
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