Nickel Plating SnarlElectroless plating is soft. Electrolytic plating is
hard. You may want to investigate carbon ink as a cost effective
alternative.
David Ricketts

Pertek Engineering
Voice: 949-475-4485
Fax:   949-475-4493

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Neel, Robert
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 10:17 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Nickel Plating Snarl


 Folks,

Can someone explain to me why all my PCB houses are suddenly having
"spectacular cows" over this pcb plating spec:

"CONTACT PATTERN FINISH IS ELECTROLESS NICKEL, 50 MILLIONTHS THICK, MINIMUM
40 ROCKWELL C HARDNESS, MEASURED WITH KNOOP PROCESS @ 100 GRAMS"

This pcb is the substrate for some snap-acting domes and I need a hard and
conductive bearing surface for the dome feet.  The plating spec comes from
the dome manufacturer.

Is it the "electroless"?  Is it the thickness? Is it the hardness
requirement? Is it the "nickel" vs "nickle"?  (Funny thing is, though,
everyone is very happy to do gold rather than nickel.)

What gives?

Robert