Great, thank you for sharing your advice. I have seen the application of the dessipak and Moisture Indicator card from some of the local suppliers. Paymon -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stadem, Richard D. Sent: April 3, 2007 11:06 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] ENIG PCB Shelf Life You should ask for the boards to be hermetically sealed to prevent as much moisture absorption as possible (from humidity). Ideally, a small dessipak can be included, along with a Moisture Indicator card, just as if the boards were an MSD. ENIG does not need to be protected from a surface finish standpoint, as the gold oxidizes very little over time. The humidity ideally should be kept at less than 30% RH, but that is only a recommendation. ENIG solderability will remain good for at least a year on the shelf. The reason you are drypacking the boards is to prevent as much moisture absorption as possible. ENIG is also not affected by prebaking as much as other finishes. Solder coupons should be stored under the same conditions, so they can be tested for solderability as a representative sample. -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paymon Sani Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 9:18 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] ENIG PCB Shelf Life Hello All, What is the expected shelf life for PCBs with ENIG finish? IPC-4552, Table 3-1 suggests the PCBs to meet solderability requirements of category 3 durability with six months shelf life. I would appreciate your response to the following questions: 1- How should the PCBs be handled during this time period? 2- What should be the temperature swing? 3- What should be the humidity range? 4- What if the PCBs are older than 6 months and cost a lot of $? How could we justify to use them? Thank you in advance, Paymon ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- Confidentiality Notice This e-mail and any attachment(s) are intended for the individual or entity to which this email is addressed and may contain information that is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this e-mail to the intended recipient, please be aware that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender by telephone at 604.430.4336 or by return e-mail, and please delete or destroy all copies of this communication. Thank you! --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 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 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 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 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Confidentiality Notice This e-mail and any attachment(s) are intended for the individual or entity to which this email is addressed and may contain information that is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this e-mail to the intended recipient, please be aware that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this in error, please notify the sender by telephone at 604.430.4336 or by return e-mail, and please delete or destroy all copies of this communication. Thank you! --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 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 -----------------------------------------------------