In a message dated 06/01/2000 11:59:09 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

>
>  Background:  I am currently conducting a flux evaluation for a Wave Solder
>  process.  I am testing many fluxes and would like to send the test boards
>  out to an IPC certified lab to have SIR and corrosion tests performed.

Cara, IPC does not certify laboratories. They have a lab qual document
(QL-653), but most commercial labs will be certified to either ISO9002 or
AL2A protocols.  Now, if you are talking about laboratories that are
"capable" of running the IPC tests, there are several good ones around.  I
know of a good one in Central Indiana (grin), but hesitate to mention the
name for fear of setting of the guardians of non-commercialism.

More importantly, what are the goals of your testing?  What test vehicle do
you want to use.  If you are looking for the characteristics of the flux,
then much of the data is probably already available from your vendor.  Ask
them for their J-STD-004 qualification data and that should have SIR, copper
mirror, halide content, etc.  Ask for the Bellcore Chapter 13 data if you are
in the telecom business (as Bev Christian indicated).  If you are testing
multiple fluxes, then having them furnish the data may allow you to do
comparisons without spending any cash.  On the other hand, you can rest
assured that the test samples for J-STD-004 qualifications are processed
under optimal optimal conditions.

If you are looking for how well you can use the flux, then you may want to
use a different test vehicle or different test approaches.  If you want to
try it on actual hardware, then you should use some form of burn-in testing,
rather than SIR testing.

>
>  Question #1:  Is it possible to have these tests performed on general
>  boards, or do they have to be IPC standard boards?  If they must be IPC
>  standard, where can I obtain the boards?

Depends on the test goals and what you are trying to do.  Different boards
for different goals.  Are you trying to convince a customer?  What do THEY
need to see?

At the risk of setting off the flamethrowers, we carry most of the standard
IPC boards in a variety of laminates and metal finishes.

>
>  Question #2:  Are there any labs in Ontario (Canada) that perform these
>  tests?  I have been looking on the net and all of the suitable labs are in
>  the US.

Does crossing the border create a problem?

Doug Pauls
Technical Director
CSL

##############################################################
TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c
##############################################################
To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the body:
To subscribe:   SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name>
To unsubscribe:   SIGNOFF TECHNET
##############################################################
Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional
information.
If you need assistance - contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or
847-509-9700 ext.5315
##############################################################