Tin Whiskers on Variable Air Capacitor

Tin whiskers growing on tin-coated surfaces of a variable air capacitor in a 1960s era Grundig radio receiver. In the 1940s H. Cobb first reported that similarly constructed capacitors plated with cadmium (not tin) grew cadmium whiskers that would short out the capacitor plates producing failure of radios (later reported to be military radios used during World War II). For more information about metal whiskers visit:
http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• metal whiskers
• tin whiskers
• zinc whiskers

[try2watch4]

Excellent display of metal whiskers!