Andy,

I can tell from the solderability testing you tried with the non-activated
WWR Alpha 100 flux that you've listened to me and Greg Munie talk about how
WWR flux is the flux one should use for solderability testing because if it
solders with WWR it will solder with any of your standardly used fluxes.
You could do a solderability test with the low concentration of activators
that are now allowed by IPC for solderability testing but as you know I
wouldn't suggest that.  I would do what you did and test it's solderability
with WWR and find out it has solderability issues and then I would do
solderability testing with the other fluxes that are approved for production
with your telecommunication products and see if it can be soldered.

George

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Giamis, Andy
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 4:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Soldering to 'Nickel-Silver'

Thanks Bev and Phil,
That's exactly what I was looking for.  
I had never tried soldering to this material and I didn't know what to
expect.  The material vendor spec sheet said that 'it solders great'.  A
quick dip-and-look soldering says 'not so much'.  I'm using Alpha 100-40
Type R and SAC305(ish) at 255C.   
So, it 'should' solder well and perhaps I'll try, try again. 


-----Original Message-----
From: Bev Christian [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 3:12 PM
To: 'TechNet E-Mail Forum' <[log in to unmask]>; Giamis, Andy
<[log in to unmask]>
Subject: RE: [TN] Soldering to 'Nickel-Silver'

Andy,
This is commonly referred to as German Silver.  I have seen it often used
for RF cans.  It should solder fine with your usual non-clean solder pastes.
However, will the can warp?  We set specific maximum sizes for different
shapes of RF cans (not that the designers would always listen).  We also
measured can warpage using shadow moiré.

Regards,
Bev Christian
HDP User Group

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Giamis, Andy
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 3:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Soldering to 'Nickel-Silver'

Hi Folks,
Has anyone had experience soldering to 'Nickel-Silver' 
This is a ternary alloy with approximately 60% Cu, 20% Ni, 20% Zn.

If so, are there any special considerations such as flux type, pre-tinning
etc...



Best Regards,
Andy
Senior Failure Analysis Engineer
CommScope
2601 Telecom Pkwy
Richardson, TX, 75082, USA