I have seen issues with crack initiation in assembled solder joints in some cases. Ultrasonic cleaning after x section cutting has been statistically confirmed as the culprit. What you may be seeing are Ni oxidation effects. Maybe the ultrasonic cleaner is a potential process control tool! Steve In my experience, the only problems observed with this cleaning method is getting a cleaning solution that will not leave a nasty residue. If rinsed and dried properly, we have no defects. Cobey Schmidt VisionTek 1175 lakeside Drive Gurnee, IL 60031 [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> (847) 360-7566 voice (847) 360-7443 fax -----Original Message----- From: Modular Components National, Inc. [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 1998 9:19 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Ultrasonic cleaning To all: Are there any negative effects to using ultrasonic cleaning on nickel/gold plating? My reason for asking is this. We recently plated two panels and tape tested them prior to ultrasonic cleaning. Then after ultrasonic cleaning and during our final machining process, we experienced poor gold to nickel adhesion. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Regards Ryan Modular Components National, Inc. 2302 Industry Court Forest Hill, MD 2150 PH (410) 879-6553 Fax (410) 838-7629 ################################################################ 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 technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 ################################################################ ################################################################ 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 technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 ################################################################ ################################################################ 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 technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 ################################################################