Reply:, reconductive adhsives a solder substitutes General comments 1) Don't forget that" conductive adhesives" is a slight misnomer, very approximately silver filled adhesives are an order of magnitude less conductive than solder which is an order below copper. 2) In terms of joint strength epoxies (the usual basis of a silver filled adhesive) do not form as strong a joint as solder - say about 50% less for sake of a number. More importantly epoxies do not adhere well to tin or its alloys so that bond strength is lower still. 3) In use there is an interaction between the silver and tin which gives very high resistivity and a volume change. 4) Combine the volume change at the glue line with the low bond strength and the best you can say is that you do not have a high reliability system. So whereas conductive adhesives are in usein defined areas, David Whalley 's comments are quite apposite. Presently I would only think of a conductive adhesive as a possible alternative to solder conditional on the assembly being designed for adhesive joining from the start, (ie joint shape/ bonding surfaces/materials/conditions of use/current carrying/temperature cycling etc) and probably only then after a breakthrough or two has been made in conductive adhesive technology. I don't know of anyone using conductive adhesive as a true solder substitute in component attach for general PCB assembly and am watching this space with real interest to see if anyone turns up... Mike Fenner BSP, UK 100760,[log in to unmask]