Hi John - I can answer questions 3/4: SERA can detect solder mask residue on a surface BUT SERA can't tell what the contamination is! The SERA test method determines the amount of oxide quantity and type by conducting an oxide reduction. If there is some kind of contamination on the surface to be tested that interferes with the oxide reduction then the SERA data plot is impacted. I have used the SERA test method to help screen a series of boards where there was soldermask contamination in the thru holes. Yes, I could have conducted an FTIR or a visual examination but the SERA data took me a total of 5 minutes per board and resulted in a quantitative data plot for documentation. Did SERA give me a accurate chemical analysis of the residue - Nope - but it was an effective tool for the task. Hope this helps. Give me a call if you have additional questions (319-295-1615). Dave Hillman Rockwell Collins [log in to unmask] ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: FAB: Soldermask Residue - SERA Author: [log in to unmask] at ccmgw1 Date: 7/23/97 4:05 PM Address, I've found the recent discussions on Soldermask Residue interesting. I've been faced with a similar problem and have investigated for several weeks. After re-reading everyone's commments with information I have, there are some discrepancies. Would someone elaborate on these items. Again everyone has their method for each process, so I'll leave names out. Which is correct items 1 or 2? 1. Someone noted: Acid cleaners (pH 1 or micro-etchants; ph <1) would remove some residual soldermask residues from the copper lands. 2. OTHER: Acid cleaners render soldermask residues insoluable, in-turn "locking-in" soldermask onto the copper. Alkalines are recommended. My past experiences have been with item 2. Which is correct items 3 or 4? 3. SERA testing can not detect chemical residues (i.e. soldermask residue). 4. SERA testing will detect chemical residues off a copper land. Please advise. Thank you. John Gulley *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To subscribe/unsubscribe send a message <to: [log in to unmask]> * * with <subject: subscribe/unsubscribe> and no text in the body. * *************************************************************************** * 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] * *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To subscribe/unsubscribe send a message <to: [log in to unmask]> * * with <subject: subscribe/unsubscribe> and no text in the body. * *************************************************************************** * 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] * ***************************************************************************