SMT with NO soldermask? selective plating...

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I have an SMT application in which I would like to eliminate... - Aug 27, 2003 by

My initial thought (Quick and not to in depth)made me think ... - Aug 27, 2003 by CAL

I have contact a couple of the board houses we use in the mi... - Aug 27, 2003 by

Contact: Earl Moon Proof Of Design Work: 512-933-5783 ... - Aug 27, 2003 by davef

Darrow Gervais

#25600

SMT with NO soldermask? selective plating... | 27 August, 2003

I have an SMT application in which I would like to eliminate the soldermaks layer. I am working on a VERY tightly packed board so I cannot bury the traces and connected them to the pads with vias. I was thinking about selectively plating the exposed copper traces with a metal that would keep the solder paste from wicking away from the pads during reflow. Has anyone done this before or know of someone who has?

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CAL

#25602

SMT with NO soldermask? selective plating... | 27 August, 2003

My initial thought (Quick and not to in depth)made me think of the solder joint integrity. I would fear solder contamination if the metal making up the plating would leach (or its elements) into the solder joint. I strongly suggest if you were to go this way...to use a third party analytical lab to evaluate a test coupon. Have it microsectioned and a SEM performed.

Just a thought...by no means am I a Chemist or metalurgist.

Cal

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Darrow Gervais

#25608

Do you know of a board house with this capability? | 27 August, 2003

I have contact a couple of the board houses we use in the mid west with no luck.

Darrow

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davef

#25612

Do you know of a board house with this capability? | 27 August, 2003