What Is Halide-Free and What Does It Mean to Me?

With halogen-containing substances in the public eye due to scrutiny by the European Union and a variety of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as possible additions to the list of substances banned from electronics, we at EFD have received numerous inquiries from customers asking how this subject will affect them and their processes. Having just overcome the hurdle of RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), they want to know what halogens and halides are, and what changes they should be prepared for if required to stop using them.

Halide-free materials are not new. Some segments of the electronics industry have been sensitive to halides and their significance for decades. This paper will give the reader a working knowledge of halogens and halides. Armed with this education, the reader will be able to make informed decisions when required to use halogen-free materials, either because regulations dictate it or social pressure makes acceptance preferable to resistance.