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1st Unleaded Solder Soldiers On

DEARBORN, Mich.-- Visteon Corp. has sealed-up the automotive industry’s first use of lead-free solder paste in a printed wiring board electronic module.

The module uses a lead-free solder paste to replace the traditional tin-lead alloy solder.

“Visteon has been researching and developing this technology for several years and it has exceeded performance requirements in both laboratory analysis and in-vehicle testing,” said Gary Mayo, director of environmental affairs for Visteon. “The implementation of this technology is a significant step forward in the manufacturing and supply of lead-free electronics modules due to the anticipated restrictions on the use of all but trace amounts of lead in most or all vehicle components in North America, Europe, and Japan.”

Visteon received approval from Ford Motor Co. to manufacture and supply its Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) transceiver module using the lead-free solder. The PATS transceiver module is supplied by Visteon’s Cockpit Strategic Business Unit (SBU).

The PATS module is a security device used to prevent a vehicle’s ignition from activating unless a unique access code is present that matches the vehicle’s engine control module.

“This technology illustrates Visteon’s environmental leadership efforts. Additionally, it will enable us to meet future worldwide government requirements, while meeting the needs of our customers,” said Mayo. “We are pleased to provide this first-ever lead-free PWB solder technology to Ford Motor Co.”

For more information, contact www.visteon.com .