RoHS, also known as Lead-Free, stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC restricts the use of six hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products. All applicable products in the European Union market after July 1, 2006 must pass RoHS compliance. RoHS impacts the entire electronics industry.
Q. Which companies are affected by the RoHS Directive?
A. Any business that sells applicable electronic products, sub-assemblies or components directly to EU countries, or sells to resellers, distributors or integrators that in turn sell products to EU countries, is impacted if they utilize any of the restricted materials
Q. What are the RoHS concerns related to aluminum products?
A. The issue with aluminum and RoHS is that some aluminum alloys, such as 2011, contain lead in amounts, which could exceed the 0.4% allowed by the exception in clause 6 of the Annex of the RoHS directive
Q. What other aluminum alloys have a higher lead content?
A. A common alloy that is being replaced within the international market is 6262. Which also has an increased lead content greater than 0.4% but has very good machining capabilities and is offered as a non-cold finished material.
Q. What aluminum alloys can I substitute for 6262 and be RoHS compliant?
A. There are two substitute products that have been developed to be in compliance with RoHS requirements. One is 6042 created by ALCOA. The Aluminum Association assigned this alloy designation in April of 2007. The same minimum properties that apply to 6262-T6, T6511 will also apply to 6042. Note the temper is T5 or T5511 (not T6).
The other alternative is a 6064 alloy offered by Kaiser Aluminum. This is a controlled lead alloy designed to be RoHS compliant. This alloy offers very good machinability along with good corrosion resistance. It also has excellent coating acceptance (anodize response). Physical and mechanical properties are equivalent to 6262.
Schupan Aluminum has access to both of these RoHS compliant materials offered by Alcoa and Kaiser Aluminum. These materials do have mill minimum requirements.
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"Lead as an alloying element in steel containing up to 0.35% lead by weight, Aluminum containing up to 0.4% lead by weight and as a copper alloy containing up to 4% lead by weight."
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Please feel free to contact your Schupan Sales Representative regarding product flyers with all pertinent information regarding chemical and mechanical specifications for these alternative alloys.
