tin whisker

Etymology
, from being first observed with tin alloys.

Noun

 * 1) One of the thin, whisker-like protrusions that project out of tin surfaces (especially found on electroplated tin), which are crystalline and electrically conductive.
 * 2)  The same phenomenon found with other metals with low melting points.

Synonyms

 * whisker abbreviation

Derived terms

 * whisker
 * whisker metal whiskers
 * zinc whisker