One general way would be to use FTIR to characterize the residue.  There are
other analytical methods to characterize it further.

Hans Shin
Pacific Testing Laboratories, Inc.
www.pacifictesting.com


-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Bissonnette,
Jean-Francois
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 12:19 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Flux Identification and Soldering over gold plated pads???


Got two questions here

First I would like to know if there is a way to identify flux residues on a
soldered assembly.  For instance, I have a series of
board that have a glass like residues between the lead (SMT) and quite a lot
of it.  It looks clear, little bit brownish and it
breaks like glass if I apply pressure with a dentist pick.  Also where hand
soldering was done, the brown color is much
more obvious.

Second.  Any of you ever seen a board with gold plated lands  instead of tin
plated?  Well I would not be able to say it
it IS gold plated but it sure looks like it and not copper.

Any help would be appreciated.

Jean-François Bissonnette
Vérificateur, Contrôle de la Qualité
Électronique
Produits et Procédés
Vapor Rail Inc.
10655 Henri-Bourassa O.
St-Laurent, Qc
H4S 1A1

(514) 335-4200 x2021
(514) 335-4231 fax

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