This has been discussed on this and other forums previously within the

last year. 



We have been told certain types of finish chemistry for both ENIG and

Immersion Sn can contain levels of Pb and Cd as stabilising agents and

this can make the material deposited very close to or exceeding the RoHS

limits. However, the chemistry suppliers are working on this and don't

expect this to a problem in the long term. That said, if you want a RoHS

compliant PCB now you had better check with your supplier about the

chemistry they use to make sure they can provide it!



We've used ENIG for years as our finish of choice for SMT/mixed

technology with HASL left for conventional PTH only, but are considering

moving to Immersion Ag as a standard for both on any reasonable volume

RoHS compliant product where shelflife should not be an issue. This

problem with non-RoHS compliant ENIG is part of that decision, but

mostly the occasional batch of ENIG that has solderability problems with

no-clean fluxes is a difficulty that won't go away. Pb-F HASL is

available but not falt enough for SMT I feel and I understand this

process still has its own problems for the PCB manufacturers too - maybe

early days?



Does anyone think Immersion Ag is a very bad idea?





Nigel Burtt

Production Engineering Manager

Dolby Labs - European HQ

Email: [log in to unmask]

Tel:     +44 (0)1793 842132 [direct line with voicemail] 

Fax:    +44 (0)1793 842101





-----Original Message-----

From: Jason Gregory [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 

Sent: 19 May 2005 23:17

Subject: Re: ENIG Board finish and RoHS



Methinks that is a really good question.



Jason Gregory

Manufacturing Engineer

Innova Electronics

(281)653-5593

(281)653-5594 fax

(281)212-0844 cell

[log in to unmask]





-----Original Message-----

From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Bob Donaldson

Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 4:58 PM

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: [TN] ENIG Board finish and RoHS





I had an interesting question come up. One of my customers questioned

whether ENIG board finishes were RoHS compliant because in their metal

finishing world nickel plating baths commonly used lead in them to help

in the plating. So I asked a boardshop I was working with if the ENIG

processing they were using had lead in the nickel plating baths. They

said it did so we both were wondering if this makes ENIG a non compliant

finish for RoHS. Can someone please shed light on whether this is true

or not?

If it is compliant must the platers remove lead form their baths or is

the concentration so low it falls within the accepted criteria?



Thanks,

Bob D.



---------------------------------------------------

Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To

unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in

the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or

(re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to

[log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing

per day of all the posts: send e-mail to

[log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest

Search the archives of previous posts at:

http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site

http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16

for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask]

or 847-615-7100 ext.2815

-----------------------------------------------------



---------------------------------------------------

Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To

unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in

the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or

(re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET

Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the

posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the

archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please

visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for

additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or

847-615-7100 ext.2815

-----------------------------------------------------



-----------------------------------------

This message (including any attachments) may contain confidential

information intended for a specific individual and purpose.  If you are not

the intended recipient, delete this message.  If you are not the intended

recipient, disclosing, copying, distributing, or taking any action based on

this message is strictly prohibited.



---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------