INTUMESCENT PAINT COATINGS FOR INHIBITING TIN WHISKER GROWTH AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME

摘要

An electrical component includes a conductive substrate (18), a tin layer (19) formed on the substrate, and a coating (22) of a foam formed on the tin layer to impede tin whisker growth, the coating comprising a foam (28) having voids (30) dispersed therethrough. A method for impeding tin whisker growth from a tin plating or finish formed over an electrical component includes covering the tin plating or finish with a coating of intumescent paint, and thereafter expanding the intumescent paint into a foam having voids dispersed therethrough.