Ken: It can, but one issue could be the ENIG vs carbon ink polymer thick film(PTF). If the carbon is being used as a static contact such as a mating surface to an LCD it's probably OK. However if the carbon contact is being used as a dynamic or cycling contact such as keypads, rotary switches, etc, there may be a wear or life cycle problem. This depends on the mating contact design and life expectancy of the electronic package. Obviously if it is going to have to survive thousands and thousands of cycles it should be tested. I've seen ENIG wear thru on rotary switches in less than ten thousand cycles, where the correct type of carbon PTF has held up for a hundred thousand. So it really depends on the design, material of construction and application. Regards Michael Barmuta Staff Engineer Fluke Corp. Everett WA 425-446-6076 -----Original Message----- From: Ken Patel [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 2:26 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Surface Finish Expert, Can Carbon ink and HASL finish be replaced entirely by ENIG finish or any other finish? re, ken patel --------------------------------------------------- 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 -----------------------------------------------------