I should have mentioned the parts are mounted and polished , I just need a chemical etch to highlight the grain boundaries similar to what is used for SnPb solder joints. Exotic techniques are not available but am looking fore something that I can put in a wet lab.

John 

Sent from my iPad

On Mar 21, 2013, at 4:37 PM, Inge Hernefjord <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> John,  I used to mold the specimen in well cured two-component Araldite, do
> the polishing with oil and diamond plastic discs to avoid contamination of
> the solder joint with polish particles. Use specimen rotating holder.Then
> wipe the stub with finest tissue to remove oil. Avoid solvents. Then
> perform a couple of minutes Argon sputtering, which will enhance the
> difference in hardness, Finally do microscopy with polarized light and a
> variable Nomarski lens, see page 119 here:
> http://bama.ua.edu/~mweaver/courses/MTE481/5_MTE481-MICROSCOPE&MODES.pdf
> 
> There are many other methods of course, e.g. EDX element mapping mode,
> which I have practiced many a times.
> 
> Inge
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 21 March 2013 15:53, <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
>> What would a good etch be for etching SAC305 solder joints to enhance
>> viewing grain boundaries?
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> John
>> 
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