Would really like to see further investigation via experimentation on the topic. Paul Reid of PWBCORP is an expert in this arena, his company performs evaluations on PCB failure mechanisms. Paul usually monitors Technet closely, although I haven't notice him posting lately. Paul, Your experiment indicates that NFP removal results in quicker failure, but your statement in the last sentence is that you allow them to be removed based upon your findings ... is this correct? (confused, yet again) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DesignerCouncil Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF DesignerCouncil. To temporarily stop/(restart) delivery of DesignerCouncil send: SET DesignerCouncil NOMAIL/(MAIL) Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------