Solder mask peel from traces, post wave solder. Etchant residue?

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Ok, I have an issue that is somewhat uniform in it's recurre... - Jun 04, 2014 by Clydestrum

Hi, We had experienced very similar issue on boards of a ... - Jun 29, 2014 by Vitaly

Hi We had the same problem but it turns out the problem ... - Jul 04, 2014 by Armando_Gomez

VERY interesting. Thanks, folks. I will look into this. ... - Jul 10, 2014 by Clydestrum

Clydestrum

#72197

Solder mask peel from traces, post wave solder. Etchant residue? | 4 June, 2014

Ok, I have an issue that is somewhat uniform in it's recurrence in that it keeps showing up on the same location on the board. The problem area is a group of traces on the exposed side, that keeps having solder mask peel occur. As you can see in the pictures, it would appear that there is some etchant residue underneath the solder mask.

My first notion would be to confirm (with you folks) if this is actually etchant residue or not, thusly bringing me closer to resolution. The second, should the first one fail, would be to ask if anyone has had any experience with something similar.

Some things to rule out: The wave solder fixture used to carry these boards is of no issue. It is made of composite material with no jagged surfaces or "heat-trapping pockets." The wave solder pot itself is within the allowable temp range.

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Vitaly

#72337

Solder mask peel from traces, post wave solder. Etchant residue? | 29 June, 2014

Hi,

We had experienced very similar issue on boards of a certain PCB manufacturer. Field experiments showed that the solder mask of this manufacturer is prone to swelling and peeling after it was in contact with our water-based flux. When you switch to another flux the problem disappears. However we preferred to stay with the flux and reject the board manufacturer...

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Armando_Gomez

#72367

Solder mask peel from traces, post wave solder. Etchant residue? | 4 July, 2014

We had the same problem but it turns out the problem is with the supplier we use a water base flux too, supplier change the solder mask and it work.

cheers!

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Clydestrum

#72397

Solder mask peel from traces, post wave solder. Etchant residue? | 10 July, 2014

VERY interesting. Thanks, folks. I will look into this.

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