Steve-o, I've never used the GXT parts before, but I remember when Berg/DuPont/FCI came out with the GXT plating in response to the extremely high Gold prices at the time (around 1983/4 I think, no kid, no mortgage, no gray hair...). Gold actually got up to around $800 an OUNCE. Connector suppliers were adding surcharges or adders to make up the difference in cost. This actually spurred some changes in the connector industry, when manufacturers then came out with "selective Gold" plating to use less gold and still provide a solderable product (typically nickel plated part w/gold on contact area and tin or tin/lead plating on solder tail). I'm sure there are some other 'Netters that can add a little more to this, and they can let me know if I got it right. It's been so long ago.. ;-) p.s.: my daughter is a cute kid... Roger M. Stoops, C.I.D., PCB Designer Spectra Precision Inc./Trimble Navigation Ltd. 5475 Kellenburger Rd. Dayton, OH 45424-1099 USA Ph: 937.233.8921 or 937.233.4574 ext 288 Fax: 937.233.7511 "Stephen R. Gregory" To: [log in to unmask] <SteveZeva@AO cc: L.COM> Subject: [TN] Connector Pre-tinning (don't have to!) Sent by: TechNet <[log in to unmask] ORG> 08/01/00 01:43 PM Please respond to "TechNet E-Mail Forum."; Please respond to SteveZeva Hi ya'll! I just got off the phone with a gentleman from FCI...the plating that is on the connectors I was talking about yesterday is something they call GXT?, which is actually palladium nickel alloy with gold flash. I was told by FCI that it wasn't necessary to pre-tin the connectors, that there wasn't enough gold on the pins to worry about... Not that I don't trust them, but do any of you know more about this GXT? plating? Just trying to learn more... Thanks! -Steve Gregory- ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. If you need assistance - contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ############################################################## ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. If you need assistance - contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ##############################################################