Hello to all, I thought " tin whiskers" only occurred with electrolytic plated tin. Is it not the stresses induced during plating that provide the energy to produce the whiskers? In any case I have used immersion tins on pcbs for many years, both as a short term finish in captive shops and as a rework for outdated HASL boards. The new 1 part liquids make the process much easier. You need only about 20 mins at 100 F to put down about 20 millionths. thats millionths with six zeroes, certainly not enough to sustain whisker growth. As with all plating processes the base metal must be "meticuously"? well very clean. Copper will require a microetch , tin/lead may require a solder brightener step if highly oxidized. If the copper is not clean immersion tin will not take thus making inspection easy. As always the solderability time limit will depend storage conditions. I've seen them last for 6-8 weeks on the floor during a brutal South Carolina summer. Remember, all the tin is doing is protecting that perfectly clean copper surface from the elements with something that will help your solderpot ratios. Contact your supplier for the processing details. But try it you'll like it. And if the project gets hung up for some reason don't fret, just wrap them up like Cristmas leftovers and keepem in the fridge. Robert E. Welch Process Specialist Email: [log in to unmask] Modem: 804-239-9120 Fax: 804-237-3048 *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to: * * [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text. * *************************************************************************** * If you are having a problem with the IPC TechNet forum please contact * * Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask] * ***************************************************************************