How much of a problem this is depends on a few factors - the size of
your wave solder pot, the thickness of the plating on the pins, and the
numbers of pins soldered per day would be significant in calculating the
time period before gold embrittlement becomes a problem.  Almost 100%
of the gold plating should normally wash off during the process of
soldering, so if you could calculate the weight of gold plated onto each
pins (which will be a very small amount), you could then calculate the
percentage of contaminant entering the solder pot for each pin soldered.
If you have a pot about the same as the lines here, about 2000 lbs., then
it would take a very large number of soldered pins to reach the 0.2%
limit.  The dross will not contain much, if any, of the gold.

Jon Moore
TRW

>>> Tony Bugeja <[log in to unmask]> 02/10/98
06:32am >>>
-- [ From: Tony Bugeja * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

Is it a big problem running gold connectors in your wave solder?  Will it
contaminate your pot? Or is this just a myth?

Doesn't alot of the gold just end up being dross?
--
Tony Bugeja, P.Eng.         E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Process Engineer            Phone:  (204) 631-7241
C-Mac Electronics           Fax:    (204) 631-7294
1455 Mountain Ave
Wpg., Mb. R2X 2Y9

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