Colin, What you are describing is referred to as "Nickel Foot" that is the extension of the deposit unto the laminate, creating bridging between pads. "Step Plating" is used to refer to different Ni thickness on the same pad surface. Usually most of the pad would be plated with a uniform thickness and there would be a lower thickness at the edges or the knee of the pad. The Ni Foot problem may be due to residual copper that was not etched away during circuitization, a cross section in that area could readily identify if this is the case. Another reason for the same defect could come from an out of control chemical deposition process. An over active Ni bath due to one or more of the following: pH out of control, temperature out of control, stabilizer not replenished, drag in of catalyst into the bath.........etc. Electroless Nickel/immersion Gold is a multi-step process. Attention must be given to ensure all process steps are as specified by the supplier with adequate rinsing between steps. I hope this information is helpful. Best regards George Milad [log in to unmask] National Accounts Manager for Technology Uyemura International Corporation Technical Center 240 Town LIne Rd Southington CT 06489 U S A (516) 901 3874 (mobile) (860) 793-4011 (office) (860) 793-4020 (fax) --------------------------------------------------- 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 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------