Steve, I have seen similar nodules before. The first question I will ask is were these circuits run through direct plate process? More specifically was it a graphite based system? I don't want to be to specific for a vendor but a major one has this issue with their graphite based system. Once they start copper plating they form "micronodules all over the panlels and in the holes. I had to use their plating chemistry to get rid of them which doesn't sit to well with me. Hope this is of some help. Mike Doty Process Engineer Sanmina Tech Center Wardhill Ma. Phone: (978-556-6003) E-mail: [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Stephen R. Gregory [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, September 11, 2000 12:52 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Nodules in barrel plating... Hi ya'll!! Got another picture for ya to look at for me. We've got some PCB's in receiving inspection that has these little nodules in plating inside all of the barrels. Go to: http://www.driveway.com/share?sid=e25a88c4.8e904&name=Pictures and look at Barrelplate.jpg to see what I mean. These are microwave PCB's and have almost all of the surface area on both sides covered with with solid metal planes, and no solder mask. Is this a normal appearance? The plating inside the barrels look to be a much lighter color than the plating on the surface planes on the PCB...you can see that in the picture as well. I don't know what I'm looking at, maybe someone could help me. I'm being asked if this is okay...I don't know if it is or not. I'll try and take a better picture if I can... Thanks!! -Steve Gregory- ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d ############################################################## 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 1.8d ############################################################## 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 ##############################################################