OOps. rough estimating? more like rough conversion, rough typing, rough day.... yes, there really is at least 8.2 microinches of gold on the board in some areas. no, that doesn't "=" the solder paste thickness, which is 6 mils. But the curiosity is still as indicated - maybe that thick gold was enough to mask the grain of the nickel and make it look like hard gold, and I wonder how much gold is ending up in that solder joint, and what problems I might have. I'm probably reaching, but I don't know what it's going to take to convince purchasing that cheap boards cost money. Is there something in such a variable and thick gold surface that would help indicate a high reliability risk? I think it's getting where I need to show them a black/white answer whether these boareds will fail or not. --------------------------------------------------- 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 -----------------------------------------------------