Rudy, First: Is there an easy to understand book related to the plating process of SOFT GOLD. I gather from your string of notes that there are three types of plating GOLD. Two FLASH process and then the HARD acid gold. Can you make any recommendation on reading material. Second: You state to use the DROP Test method. What strength (%) of ammonia is recommended and volume for each. Where can I find reading on this Test Method. Victor, -----Original Message----- From: Rudy Sedlak [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 6:34 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Immersion Gold vs Flash gold finish with Lead-free? Rick, see below for comments. In a message dated 1/27/03 1:59:14 PM Pacific Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << Data I've gotten back from the board vendor in China is that the finish is only 1-1.5 microinches thick. This sounds like it could be the issue we're seeing as that doesn't seem thick enough to adequately protect the nickel to me. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF GOLD THAT THIN...IF IT LOOKS GOOD, THEY ARE NEARLY MIRACULOUS. Out of curiosity, would there be any visual indication of nickel oxide formation? IF THERE WERE AN INDICATION VISUALLY, IT WOULD MEAN IT WAS REAL BAD.... IN OTHER WORDS, IT CAN BE BAD, AND STILL LOOK GOOD. Nickel oxide is green, but it does not appear you are seeing green...so...However, there is a test...drop on some ammonia and 1% Dimethyl Glyoxime, and if it goes red, that is a proof of Nickel. The pads we're seeing are very shiny looking but I'm not sure if that's indicative of good or bad plating. Shiny normally means good plating...especially at 1 microinch (!!!!), but there really can be no such thing as good plating under 5 microinches. Rudy Sedlak --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e 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 or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/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 1.8e 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 or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/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 -----------------------------------------------------