Non-lead solder alloy saves environment

May 12th, 2011

(PhysOrg.com) -- Research at The University of Queensland has helped a Japanese company stay at the industry forefront of environmentally sustainable soldering and brazing products.

Nihon Superior's president presented a new lead-free solder alloy product, the first batch destined for education purposes, to UQ when he visited this month.

The solder alloy, SN100C, has been developed as an effective and environmentally friendly replacement for traditional lead-based solders.

UQ's relationship with Nihon Superior began in 2003, and the Osaka-based company has since commissioned more than $3 million of research from the university.

The executive dean of the UQ Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, Professor Graham Schaffer, welcomed Nihon Superior president Mr. Tetsuro Nishimura and board chairman Mr Toshiro Nishimura to UQ's St Lucia campus in Brisbane.

“Nihon Superior is one of the major international suppliers of lead-free solder and brazing alloys and is an active player in research and development,” said UQ Associate Professor Kazuhiro Nogita, who manages a Nihon Superior research product on behalf of UQ.

“The company has an excellent reputation in Japan. At a recent ceremony marking 125 years of the Japanese patent system, the Emperor of Japan presented an award to Nihon Superior for its significant research and discoveries.

“Nihon Superior's ongoing investment in UQ is an endorsement of UQ's high quality of research.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a collaboration with Nihon Superior, which is of great benefit to students, the university's researchers and the future of electronic engineering.”

UQ hosted the visit from the Nihon Superior executives to celebrate the organisations' longstanding relationship.

Nihon Superior has a strategic focus on creating new environmentally sustainable materials, an area in which UQ will be expanding its research in coming years.

Provided by University of Queensland