Hi Jim! Here are some responses to your questions: 1) Is there a minimum period of time after component manufacture that > solderability testing is not necessary? It seems strange that component > manufacturers are required to meet functional and performance requirements but > not solderability. ** The simple answer is nothing last forever! But if a component manufacturer fabricates a component with a quality surface finish it should retain solderability for a very long time period. I have seen components that are 20 years old that have retain good solderability. Good solderability is a function of correct material selection and surface finish process control. Your solderability requirements should be viewed in terms of how long of shelf life do you need - if you are going to solder the components a week after you get them then a 5 year shelf life expectation is costly and extravagant > 2) Is J-STD-002 Category 1 (no Steam Ageing Requirement) the industry norm? ** The component manufacturer's I deal with meet the JSTD2A stream age requirement > 3) What is the least expensive way to meet solderability test requirements? ** Don't test at all. The second least expensive way would be to use a SPC sampling plan with reaction limits. Just remember - you get what you pay for. > 4) What are acceptable sampling criteria, especially for reeled components? ** I would suggest using the JSTD-001 philosophy and/or IPC-PC-90 guidelines > 5) Would it be reasonable to request J-STD-001B requirements 5.2, 5.4 be > tailored to restrict the solderability requirements to apply to parts > manufactured more than 2 years prior to use but excluding newer parts > on the basis that we are consistently producing Class 2 product and > that our date code policy requires use of components within two years of > manufacture. ** Solderability is not just a Class 1 or 2 or 3 concern! Good solderability is the basis for the formation of properly wetted solder joints. Having good solderability should be a requirement for the overall soldering process. Your suggested logistics of addressing solderability could work if you and your component fabricators have a close working relationship. Good Luck. Dave Hillman ANSIJ-STD-002 CoChair [log in to unmask] Jim Wiggers <[log in to unmask]> on 07/03/99 10:36:41 PM Please respond to "TechNet E-Mail Forum." <[log in to unmask]>; Please respond to Jim Wiggers <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] cc: Subject: [TN] "Solderability Testing" In Use > In an effort to improve PWA reliability and meet the requirements of a > particular customer, we adopted J-STD-001 Class 2 as our default assembly > requirement. This imposes J-STD-002 for solderability testing. > > We view the requirements as somewhat intensive and wonder what standard > industry practice is. > > If you have military or aviation based experience I would really appreciate > hearing from you. > > My questions are: > 1) Is there a minimum period of time after component manufacture that > solderability testing is not necessary? It seems strange that component > manufacturers are required to meet functional and performance requirements but > not solderability. > 2) Is J-STD-002 Category 1 (no Steam Ageing Requirement) the industry norm? > 3) What is the least expensive way to meet solderability test requirements? > 4) What are acceptable sampling criteria, especially for reeled components? > 5) Would it be reasonable to request J-STD-001B requirements 5.2, 5.4 be > tailored to restrict the solderability requirements to apply to parts > manufactured more than 2 years prior to use but excluding newer parts > * on the basis that we are consistently producing Class 2 product and > * that our date code policy requires use of components within two years of > manufacture. > > Note: Most of our component purchases are for pre-bent and pre-tinned > commercial components. > > Your comments and recommendations are most appreciated. > > Jim Wiggers