white plague

Meanings

1. Tuberculosis, especially of the lungs.
2. The white gold-aluminium intermetallic compound Au₅Al₂, which can be formed when gold and aluminium are heated in direct contact (for instance, at an electrical junction between gold and aluminium components).
3. The problems caused by the formation of this compound, including an increase in electrical resistance and formation of voids at the gold-aluminium junction, potentially culminating in total failure of the junction.

Etymology

white+plague * (tuberculosis): From the white pallor of victims of the disease * (eletronics): From the colour of the deposits which cause electrical problems to plague devices