One of the area not mentioned so far is the copper layer often plated on the Alloy 42 before tin lead plating this also helps the soldering process. This is then what we are actually soldering to the copper and not the Alloy 42 check out some microsections of leads. Bob Willis Electronic Presentation Services 2 Fourth Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4HA. England. Tel: (44) 01245 351502 Fax: (44) 01245 496123 Home Page: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/bwillis Email: [log in to unmask]