Hi folks - another option that can be used instead of overplating is a good
epoxy material. Just make sure it provides good edge retention. I have been
using a couple of the nonreworkable epoxy underfill materials very
successfully.

Dave

On Tue, Oct 18, 2016 at 9:59 AM, Stadem, Richard D. <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I believe Hunter still provides that option. Works quite well, I recently
> plated a number of PWBs with it and the XrF looked great.
> http://www.hunterproducts.com/plating_pens.html
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Vladimir
> Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 9:31 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [TN] Measuring Gold Thickness
>
> Overplating is a must. Unfortunately Buehler stopped selling thier E-Ni
> kit at least couple years ago.
>
>
> Vladimir
>
> SENTEC
>
> Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Rogers network.
>   Original Message
> From: Bev Christian
> Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 10:25
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Reply To: TechNet E-Mail Forum
> Subject: Re: [TN] Measuring Gold Thickness
>
> Bob,
> Please excuse my previous short answer, but my wife and I were out walking
> the dog.
>
> "Cost effective". "Single use". Find a friend with an XRF.
>
> Here are some suggestions.
> 1) Use a Fischer, CMI, Oxford, Shimadzu or other known brand. I would NOT
> use a handheld, even if they say you can do thickness measurements (Not
> sure if they are able/touting this ability).
> 2) Make sure it is calibrated with a set of standards (also calibrated!)
> similar to your sample (ENIG standard set for ENIG, electroless gold over
> copper for same sort of sample)
> 4) Use as large an aperture as possible
> 5) Make measurement on a flat sample surface
> 6) Make sure there are no obstructions between the incoming beam and the
> sample surface and the sample surface and the detector
> 7) Don't skimp on the time for the measurement. Use 30 seconds to 2
> minutes.
> 8) Measure in more than one spot!
>
> Typically for ENIG you will get +/- 5% for the gold and +/- 10% for the
> nickel.
>
> I agree with George with regards to cross-sectioning. If you are going to
> do it, you should probably over plate with nickel first.
>
> Regards,
> Bev
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bob Wettermann
> Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 10:01 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [TN] Measuring Gold Thickness
>
> Gents/Ladies:
>
> This would be confirming gold plating thickness after repair using a brush
> plating technique. Repair thickness is a function of many variables....
>
> I was looking for an instrument to verify that would be cost effective as
> it is for this single use.
>
>
> Bob/BEST
>
> On Tue, Oct 18, 2016 at 8:37 AM, Bev Christian <[log in to unmask]
> >
> wrote:
>
> > XRF
> >
> > Bev
> >
> > Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone on the Bell network.
> > Original Message
> > From: Bob Wettermann
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 9:28 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Reply To: TechNet E-Mail Forum
> > Subject: [TN] Measuring Gold Thickness
> >
> > Outside of x-sectional measurements for QA. can someone please share
> > their favorite method/instrument for measuring gold thicknesses on PCBs?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Bob/BEST
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Bob Wettermann
> BEST Inc
> [log in to unmask]
> Cell: 847-767-5745
>