In message <[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] writes: > In an effort to reduce soldershorts at SOICs from occuring during our wave- > soldering process, we apply what we call "pre-wave mask", pretty typical > process, I believe. (The SOICs are previously paste-reflowed.) However, we > have experienced damage to the leads of the SOICs when we peel the pre-wave > mask off from the wave-soldered boards. In order to prevent this from > occuring, we are contemplating not peeling this mask away and just leaving it > on for the life of the product. The big question: > > Is there any long-term reliability issues here? Could the mask being a future > failure location due to contamination growth or some other reason? You do not mention the chemistry type of the mask which you use - there are several, including latex (both natural and synthetic), pvc and urethanes. Some have been known to contribute to poor SIR test results, although my belief is that this is only the latex types. Ask if the mask supports fungal growth. Around the edges of the mask is an area where flux entrapment can occur - would these residues be benign in your case? I think what you want to do could work, with the correct choice of mask. Peter -- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Peter Swanson Oxfordshire, England INTERTRONICS [log in to unmask] http://www.cygnetuk.demon.co.uk Suppliers of materials and consumables to the electronics & related industries ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ################################################################ TechNet E-Mail Forum 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://jefry.ipc.org/forum.htm) for additional information. For the technical support contact Dmitriy Sklyar at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.311 ################################################################