Case Studies

North American Field Data

Ford T-Bird heated windshield

GM Minivan windshield antenna

Antaya indium based solder was suggested for these windshield applications as an alternative the leaded alloys.  The windshields were launched with the leaded alloy with significant warranty claims due to cracks propagating in or around the leaded solder joint.   No cracks were found with the indium based alloy and the alloy was quickly changed to lead free.  Over 750,000 lead free, pre-soldered, pre-fluxed wire assemblies were shipped for Ford and GM between June 2000 and June 2008 for heated windshield and windshield antenna applications.  Warranty data was reviewed by the glass supplier and the OEM.  No warranty claims were made during this time attributable to the solder alloy. Antaya Lead Free solder was deemed to be a general substitute for lead.

North American OEMs
Pre-soldered, pre-fluxed lead free terminal for heated backlight

Pre-soldered, pre-fluxed lead free button for signal application on backlight

Pre-soldered, pre-fluxed lead free button connector for signal application on windshield
Solder clad preform lead free braid assembly for heated backlight

Pre-soldered, pre-fluxed lead free terminal crimped to wire for quarter window antenna and heated backlight applications

Pre-soldered, pre-fluxed lead free terminal welded to a flexible braid for heated backlight

All of the above components have completed the following activities and are in production in North America at several glass plants for various OEMs.

• Alloy customized for specific glass application
• Process parameters for component and glass optimized
• Connectors soldered and tested to OEM standard
• Production connectors shipped to customer
• PPAP approval received
• Part and process support through launch

European OEMs

• Pre-soldered, pre-fluxed button for signal application on quarter window
• Alloy customized for specific glass application
• Process parameters for lead free component and glass optimized
• Lead free connectors soldered and tested to OEM standard
• Production connectors shipped to customer with PPAP