If it looks like copper it probably is copper.  Is there a nickel
plating under the gold and then a copper pad?  If so the nickel plating
was not thick enough and what it is happening is what is called copper
migration.  Put some peroxide (a tip from Ed at QTA Machines) on it and
see if it stands out even more.  If so then you have a copper migration
problem.

Thanks,
Kathy Palumbo

> ----------
> From:         [log in to unmask][SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:         Wednesday, February 25, 1998 11:12 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      [TN] Gold surface finish
>
> Hi,
> I have a question on Gold surfaces. It seems that one of my assemblies
> has a
> weird film or contaminates on the pads.  The board is double sided, we
> ran one
> side and then it sat (shortages) for a week. It almost looks like
> copper! We
> did check incoming boards before placing parts and it seems they have
> the same
> problem but not as bad. I guess after wash this problem got worse. Has
> anyone
> had this problem before and if so, what was the cause?
>
> Thanks in advance
> Angie
>
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