Jack, Why doesn't EVERYONE use matte masks if it can mitigate a potential problem like solderballs? Answer: because some point-haired bosses like shiny boards. Certainly this is not the case with RIM bosses, but in some companies... Secondly: Are minor soldermask scratches a rejectable condition? I couldn't find any reference to minor scratching in IPC-SM-840, IPC-6012 or IPC-A-600 Answer: it depends on what you mean by minor. If it doesn't break through the actual solder mask, I would just leave it. If it shows a little copper, whether ground plane or trace, we apply a little solder mask from a pen. We have first tested and approved the replacement mask first (with regards to corrosion). Bev RIM -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jack Olson Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 12:12 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Matte Mask and SolderBalls Greetings, Here's a situation I'm trying to resolve: An assembly partner requests matte soldermask to reduce the effect of solderballs. A fabrication partner wants an extra 3% for matte, Their default is semi-matte or semi-gloss (are those the same?) explaining that matte boards are slipsheeted throughout subsequent processes to reduce scratching. I'm tasked with trying to save my company the 3% increase on every board order. We have designs with both wave and reflow soldering passes. I've searched the last ten years of the Technet Archives for every reference to solderballs and matte soldermask. I learned a lot from previous posts (THANKS, TECHNET!) and many people have commented on the fact that solderballs don't stick to matte masks as much as they do to others. My first question is: Why doesn't EVERYONE use matte masks if it can mitigate a potential problem like solderballs? Secondly: Are minor soldermask scratches a rejectable condition? I couldn't find any reference to minor scratching in IPC-SM-840, IPC-6012 or IPC-A-600 onward thru the fog, Jack ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- This transmission (including any attachments) may contain confidential information, privileged material (including material protected by the solicitor-client or other applicable privileges), or constitute non-public information. Any use of this information by anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately reply to the sender and delete this information from your system. Use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this transmission by unintended recipients is not authorized and may be unlawful. ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------- 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 -----------------------------------------------------