Joe/Alcon: - IMHO it was not, and is not, the intent of IPC standards to limit the use of any technology that will produce a conforming product (see paragraph 1.1 Purpose of 001). - In a former life I had intimate contact with the development of Mil-Stds. and with quality assurance aspects of DOD procurements. Re the MIL-STDs; WS-6536, DOD-STD-2000 and Mil-Std-2000 all limited the use of alternative flux to tinning of solid wire, sealed components, terminals and epoxy bodied parts. By the time we wrote Mil-Std-2000A and Mil-Std-2000B (unfortunately never issued) the light of day had begun to break over DOD. Paragraph 4.6.3 (Use of nonrosin fluxes) of 2000A in discussing the use of non-rosin flux states in subparagraph b. " Material is used to solder printed wiring assemblies and data demonstrating compliance with the testing requirements of Appendix A is available for review." The intent of DOD in using that phrase in both 2000A and 2000B was to allow the use of nonrosin flux by responsible manufacturers. - Regarding HF-1189 and similar formulations. In the aforementioned former life I recommended the use of 1189, and approved the use of similar formulations on hardware procured by DOD. After testing 1189 to evaluate the corrosive characteristics of any residue and found no problems I recommended it for use in amplifiers internal to oxygen masks and flight helmets for USN aircrews. - Helloooo: the message is, the responsible use of nonrosin flux is accepted practice not only within DOD but within Class 3 products for the private sector. Regards, Jim Moffitt --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a 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/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 -----------------------------------------------------