Apologies if this is the second time you've received this message. Ron, Do you regularly check the Ni concentration of the electroless solution? Whenever I seen this problem in the past, the Ni concentration was always under 70% of the spec for the bath (optimum conc. was 5.6g/l). If you are using a Pd catalyst, the Cu pads etc. should have a dull grey layer of Pd on the surface (after the boards have been through the line) since no Ni has adhered to the pad surface (due to low concentration). As the concentration decreases the more pads, and ultimately more boards, are affected. (This information can only be found out working beside a manufacturing manager who had very limited technical knowledge!). I hope this helps. Martin Farrell (Chemist) GEC-Marconi Avionics, Edinburgh. ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. For the technical support contact Dmitriy Sklyar at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.311 ##############################################################