The research history of tin whisker can be divided into three stages—the study of the early phenomena
of tin whisker, growth mechanism of tin whisker and the mitigation of the growth of tin whiskers. The methods for
measuring length and density of tin whisker are compared. The methods of mitigating growth of tin whisker are summa
rized, including choice of different thickness of tin layer with different substrate materials, using barrier layer such as
nickel and indium, surface reflow treatment and heat treatment of the surface finishes, avoiding a local pure tin plat
ing, covering with conformal coat on the surface finishes.