Stainless Steel and RoHS

[JoeWaller]

Clearly all of the research I have done conclusively provides that stainless steel components of all alloys are in fact rohs compliant. Does anyone have a reputable link to confirm this? So far the most compelling is

http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=196

which states: Analysis work was originally done on lead, mercury and cadmium levels by the Scandanavian stainless steel producers (then AvestaPolarit, now Outokumpu Stainless and Sandvik Steel) when the end of life vehicles 'ELV' directive restrictions were imposed in 2003.
This showed that the steels tested had values for lead, mercury and cadmium well below the directive's maximum levels.
The restriction levels in the ELV are same as here in the RoHS and so commercially produced stainless steels can be expected to comply with these latest RoHS requirements, without actual values being measured or declared by the steelmaker or supplier.

 

[EdStainless]

1. Since solid stainless steel isn't electrical equipment ti does not fall under the scope of RoHS
2. The elements of concern are never added to SS, and the highest levels ever noted are more than an order of magnitude below the levels of interest.

I believe that there is work that covers this on the ISSF web site.

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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[JoeWaller]

Thanks for the reinforcement, however all fasteners used in electronic components, battery terminals, clamps, brackets etc. are subject to RoHS. This begs the question... Is any component made entirely of stainless steel RoHS exempt? That's the million dollar question and the billion dollar expense for industry as everyone wastes countless thousands of hours trying to certify exactly that.

 

[EdStainless]

There is no SS that is any way or application does not conform with the requirements of RoHS.


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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube