NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Background

What are Tin Whiskers?

Metal filaments that grow spontaneously from “bright” electroplated tin
Diameter = 6 nm to 6 mm (0.0002 mils - 0.2 mils)
Growth rate = 0.03 to 9 mm/year
Max length = 5 to 8 mm

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Responsible NASA Officials:

   Michael Sampson/NASA GSFC Code 306
   Dr. Henning Leidecker/NASA GSFC Code 562
Additional Researchers: 

   Jong Kadesch/Orbital Sciences Corp.
   Jay Brusse/QSS Group, Inc.

Last Updated:

April 20, 2005

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