I am currently looking at this coating as an alternative to HASL for our
product.  I have looked at all of the other alternatives and was not
satisfied with the results for our product (memory boards).  I believe
that alternative coatings should be looked at on a case by case basis.
What works for me might not work for you.  

I set up my own experiment for several different products which we build
to see if the alternative coatings would be acceptable for our processes
and our product.  I am still in the process of analyzing the alphalevel
boards (waiting on samples).  I was told these alphalevel boards can be
treated just like a HASL coated board and do not require any type of
special handling.  This characteristic is important for us here at
Viking.

I think the best approach for you would be to perform your own analyses
on your product as well.  You could also give Steve Beagle with Alpha a
call at (219) 922-7990.  He has been doing a similar analyses with this
product for the past two years and has literally soldered thousands of
boards.  I think he can answer any technical questions you might have
regarding the alphalevel product.


Good Luck!!

Thanks,
Kathy Palumbo

> ----------
> From:         Rob Emery[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:         Tuesday, March 24, 1998 7:16 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      [TN] AlphaLevel as replacement for Electroplated Nickel
> Gold
> 
> We've recently had some problems with flaking of gold plate on keypad
> fingers on a pcb.  
>  
> Consequently, we're considering changing the finish to AlphaLevel,
> although we've been unable to find any major examples of companies who
> are using AlphaLevel 'unsoldered' in this type of application.
>  
> Does anyone have any experience of the long term problems we might
> encounter if we make this change, eg degradation of contact causing
> erratic keypress operation?
>  
> Regards
>  
> Rob
> 

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