Re: Chemical tinning of PCB´s

[Theo]

Yes I tried  SENO and ISEL "Chemisch Zinn".
Think the stuff is worth the trouble/money.
Both work OK, however the SENO bath gives a "better" looking PCB, it shines.

The ISEL stuff does not hold well, if you rub it hard some of the layer
comes off.
Don't know how well SENO does in this area.

ISEL can give you a thicker layer without turning "ugly".

Some PCBs that have been in a drop-box underground (HF amps for DIY cable
TV) had no corrosion after 5 years or so.

For me the main reason to use a tin-bath is that it make soldering more
easy, especially SMD.

My 2 cnt, cheers,
Theo

From: Michael Buchstaller <buchi at takeonetech.de>

> Some short query:
>
> I have noticed that on some PCB´s that i made in the early 80s there
> is some corrosion on the traces. The boards continue to work fine, but
> i think that i shold try to stop this for future projects.
>
> Now i have heard of a way to tin-plate a board by putting it into a
chemical
> solution for a while - this is told to make it easier to solder (have
never had problems
> with soldering my boards) and resistant against aggressive atmospheric
con-
> ditions (maybe normal city air ?)
> Here in germany, Conrad sells something that is called "SENO Glanzzinn", a
powder
> that is dissolved in hot water. The board is soaked in that solution and
becomes
> shiny silver after s short time (some minutes).
>
> Has anybody tried this or another method ? Is it worth the extra time and
money,
> or do the tinned traces become dull very soon ?
>
>
> -Michael Buchstaller