Analysis is done by the most appropriate method for what is being looked for. Impurities will be done typically by AA, whereas quantitative determination of known major constituents such as tin can be done gravimetrically, [or by wet chemistry as mentioned in another post]. Differences in results between measuring sites is not unknown, they quite often are due to sampling technique, as much as analytical process. Mike Fenner Indium Corporation of Europe T: + 44 1908 580 400 F: + 44 1908 580 411 M: + 44 7810 526 317 -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Barmuta, Mike Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 11:41 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Solder Pot Analysis Kathy: When we analyze our solderpots we use gravimetric for the Sn and AA for the trace elements, Pb is the remainder. Over the years we have run multiple analysis from the same sample to cross check ourselves and outside vendors and their analytical methods. They all vary a little bit even back to back runs using the same methods. However I have never seen any dramatic differences between the various techniques. In most cases the difference in Sn content is in the +/- 0.5% range. This is close enough and anyone trying to cut it any finer is probably not living in the real world. I've seen bigger swings in sample to sample variation and sampling techniques. By the way it's Kester and Keister no matter what some people would think :>) Regards Michael Barmuta Staff Engineer Fluke Corp Everett WA 425-446-6076 -----Original Message----- From: Kathy Kuhlow [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, May 18, 2001 2:31 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Solder Pot Analysis What is the most reliable method of solder pot analysis? I know the Keister uses the spark analysis and Alpha uses a wet chemistry method (I think). What are the differences and which is more reliable? TIA Kathy ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send the following message: SET Technet NOMAIL Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or 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 unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send the following message: SET Technet NOMAIL Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------