Subj: Re: [TN] SMT, replace solder with conductive epoxy? Date: 26/03/99 To: [log in to unmask] In a message dated 24/03/99 11:43:52PM, you write: > What if... you took all your standard SMD devices, threw them in an etchant > to get rid of the tin/lead, immediately took them out and threw them in an > immersion "flash" gold bath, then used conductive epoxy to mount them to a > flash gold/nickel PCB rather then solder? > > Does this seem feasible? (technically at least) > > Resp. > Phil Hersey, Carson City Nevada USA You would have a very easily printable material instead of the solder paste. A lower processing temp to cure off the glue and no cleaning problems. And that's the good news in production The other production news is, you may have some co planarity problems, need to redesign some joint configuarations, there are some Health and safety issues to be run through, adheisve storage and shelf life issues and so on. Beyond production you would also have to look at long term product reliability and check out service environments and accept that the term conductive when applied to adhesive means relative to other adhesives. Relative to metals - even relatively poor conductors like solder - conductive epoxies are very poor indeed so current carrying capacity and thermal design would need to be looked at and so on. I think you are getting the picture by now. HAving said all this there are solder ALTERNATIVE adhesives out there and they are being used in certain specific applications - check put with some major suppliers of conductive adhesives like Ablestik for more info. Mike Fenner. ++++ ################################################################ 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's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information. For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 ################################################################