How about acetone? Is something being dissolved or are you polishing the part? It is either something on the part, like flux that might have blown up and onto the part when melted. Or it is in the metal of the part that is discolored. My guess is some flux issue. Any idea which? Bob -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jim West Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 3:26 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] Capacitors end termination discolored. The parts will partially clean up with Alcohol. There is still evidence of the discoloration after cleaning. -----Original Message----- From: Robert Kondner [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 2:06 PM To: 'TechNet E-Mail Forum'; Jim West Subject: RE: [TN] Capacitors end termination discolored. It is not flux up on the leads by chance? Does the brown scrape off? Bob K. -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jim West Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2012 1:03 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Capacitors end termination discolored. Hi all, Take a look at the photo's at the below links (one shows picture of a new cap). I'm trying to figure out why the end terminations of a tantalum capacitor (C37 and C38) are coming out of the reflow discolored. In our process, the middle boards of our panel have the discolored terminations. The boards on the outside of the panel are all fine. I think it's a heat related issue, but I don't know why only the middle boards are affected. All the solder joints are looking fine as well (even on the discolored terminations). Any thoughts as to what might be happening? In your opinion, would your reject these? http://stevezeva.homestead.com/Discolored_Tant.jpg http://stevezeva.homestead.com/New_Tant.jpg Jim West Attention: The information contained in this email message may be privileged and is confidential information intended only for the use of the recipient, or any employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient. Any unauthorized use, distribution or copying of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy the original message and all attachments from your electronic files. ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ Attention: The information contained in this email message may be privileged and is confidential information intended only for the use of the recipient, or any employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient. Any unauthorized use, distribution or copying of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy the original message and all attachments from your electronic files. ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask] ______________________________________________________________________