INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, TOKYO, April 7, 2004 -- Intel Corporation today announced it will begin eliminating approximately 95 percent of the lead used in its processors and chipsets starting later this year. The company is taking these significant steps to remove lead from its product packaging in order to make it more environmentally friendly.
Intel will begin shipping the lead-free technology with select microprocessors and chipsets in Q3, 2004, and embedded IA processors in Q2, 2004. The company shipped its first lead-free memory chips last year. Additional products will be transitioned as manufacturers become able to handle them. The new packages use lead-free solder balls, about the size of salt crystals, and represent the majority of lead used in Intel microprocessor packaging. Intel is working with the industry to find a reliable solution for the tiny amount of lead still needed inside the processor packaging to connect the actual silicon "core" to the package.
The transition to lead-free is a massive industry-wide effort with many technological, logistical and economic challenges. Since 2000, Intel has been working with industry consortia to come up with solutions that can be used around the world. To achieve this, the company developed reference procedures on its own research assembly lines to aide our customers implement lead-free technology in their manufacturing process.
And, will continue to ship lead/tin versions of these products during the transition period for system manufacturers who need time to develop
and qualify their lead-free processes and products.
"Intel shipped millions of lead-free Flash Memory components in 2003.
Today's announcement is the next major step on the road to a lead-free product line for Intel's high volume CPU and chipset product lines," said Nasser Grayeli, Intel vice president and director of assembly technology development, Technology and Manufacturing Group. "Our goal has been to develop a total solution that addresses the needs and concerns of our customers and suppliers, from the package materials to motherboard manufacturing. By doing this, our customers will be able to launch platforms with the new lead-free technology in the second half of 2004."
Getting the Lead Out
Lead has been used in electronics for more than one hundred years because of its electrical and mechanical properties. It has been a scientific and technical challenge for industry researchers to develop new materials that meet the performance and reliability requirements for the different ways lead is used in components, products, and assembly processes. At the same time, various national bodies around the world have been working to reduce or eliminate lead and therefore the danger it represents to the environment and general health.
Intel qualified its first lead-free Plastic Ball Grid Array package in 2001 for use with its Flash memory, and shipped its first lead-free product in 2002. The lead/tin solder previously used for connecting this package to the motherboard was replaced with a tin/silver/copper alloy.
This work allowed Intel and its customers to gain valuable insight about what was required both technologically and logistically to make the transition to lead-free technology.
Intel's new Flip Chip Ball Grid Array package also uses a tin/silver/copper alloy to connect the chip package to the motherboard.
However, until Intel and the industry can certify a replacement that meets performance and reliability requirements, a tiny of amount of lead/tin (about .02 grams) is still used inside the sealed package to attach the silicon core to the package.
Helping Customers Make the Transition
Intel used its assembly development lines in Arizona and Oregon, and Malaysia facilities to perfect both flip chip packages and printed circuit board assembly (PCA). The new lead-free compatible materials and assembly processes were documented as reference processes for distribution to customers and system manufacturers. This gave customers a reference point to start redesigning their own printed circuit board assembly processes and bring them into alignment with the lead-free
solution.
About IDF
The Intel Developer Forum is the technology industry's premier event for hardware and software developers. Held worldwide throughout the year, IDF brings together key industry players to discuss cutting-edge technology and products for PCs, servers, communications equipment, and handheld clients. For more information on IDF and Intel technology, visit http://developer.intel.com.
Intel is 's werelds grootste chipfabrikant en een vooraanstaand producent van personal computer-, netwerk- en communicatieproducten.
Meer informatie over Intel is te vinden op:
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/.
Voor meer informatie:
Intel Benelux, Kristof Sehmke, Communicatie Manager, telefoon +32 (0)3 450 08 11, e-mail: kristof.sehmke@intel.com, of Monogram Communication Strategies (MCS) BV, Marieke Leenhouts, telefoon
+31 (0)23 562 82 08,
e-mail: mariekel@monogram.nl.