Over the past few years, NIHON SUPERIOR’s R&D center in Malaysia and the University of Malaysia Perlis known as UniMAP have collaborated on several joint research projects to further understand lead-free alloys and their metallurgies. NIHON SUPERIOR opened the R&D center in their Malaysian factory site in 2013, the company’s first R&D facility outside of Japan.

 

The purpose of opening the R&D center was to enhance customer support for the Southeast Asia region through basic research and product development. Since its opening, the center has been gaining momentum and is now attracting highly regarded attention from customers.

 

The R&D center greatly expanded the capabilities of which used to be an inspection and analysis area in the Malaysian factory. It is equipped with up-to-date equipment such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and high frequency inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (IPC) for metallurgical and chemical analyses. The R&D center team includes a R&D manager and several company researchers located on site and several researchers from UniMAP to conduct joint research in lead-free solders. Together they form a well versed and knowledgeable research and development team.

 

Recent activities include the commercialization of SN100CV (031) flux cored wire using the newly developed silver-free SN100CV alloy which required strength and reliability testing of the SN100CV alloy. Some additional projects have been the development of ALUSAC-35 flux cored wire for the soldering of aluminum and an UniMAP doctoral study of HASL (Hot Air Solder Leveling).

 

UniMAP recently awarded President Nishimura with an honorary doctorate degree to acknowledge his advancements in the development of lead-free solders through microalloying additions. The honorary degree was presented by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir. It is only the second honorary doctorate degree awarded to a non-Malaysian citizen by the school and the first for a Japanese.

 

In receiving the honorary doctorate, President Nishimura said, “I am honored and very surprised as did not expect such recognition. I would like to continue contributing through further research activities for metallurgy development and would like to make further efforts to disseminate new developments such as SN100CV and ALUSAC-35 alloys though the partnership with UniMAP.”

 

With NIHON SUPERIOR’s Malaysian R&D center as the axis, the relationship between the company and UniMAP has been fruitful and President Nishimura’s expectation is for it to deepen even further and continue to grow.