We talk too much about the price and not enough about the cost.

The price is what the market will bear and the cost is what the pcb supplier

invests in each pcb.

I look at the surface finishes available and see that the conveyorized
applications are superior to immersion which are superior to HASL.

Maintenance; labor; etc. fluctuate but in general follow application
methods.

The material costs based on weight are (highest to lowest) Ni/Au; Pd; Ag;
Sn;
SnPb; OSP.

After this it is a matter of economics on the pcb and chemistry supplier
side.

I see the conveyorized processes as the best bets.

Steve

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