Folks,

Can someone explain to me why all my PCB houses are suddenly having "spectacular cows" over this pcb plating spec:

"CONTACT PATTERN FINISH IS ELECTROLESS NICKEL, 50 MILLIONTHS THICK, MINIMUM 40 ROCKWELL C HARDNESS, MEASURED WITH KNOOP PROCESS @ 100 GRAMS"

This pcb is the substrate for some snap-acting domes and I need a hard and conductive bearing surface for the dome feet.  The plating spec comes from the dome manufacturer.

Is it the "electroless"?  Is it the thickness? Is it the hardness requirement? Is it the "nickel" vs "nickle"?  (Funny thing is, though, everyone is very happy to do gold rather than nickel.)

What gives?

Robert