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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Free bottle of Liquid Tin

From: Mike Oyama <mikesb0x0fm4il2@...>
Date: 2009-04-23

I've been thinking about picking up an electroless plating kit from caswell.
The electroless nickel kits are 30% off till the end of the month, making
the mini kit around $50.

I know the pros use electroless nickel followed up by a gold immersion
process. Will my boards work if I don't add gold plate to the nickel? Will
nickel work as good as tin?

>
> > You definitely get a better plating by using a electroless Tin
> > plating. Using solder and an iron produces a bit of waviness or
> > bumpy surface (not to mention the flux which needs to be scrubbed
> > off). The elctroless Tin plating results in a very smooth layer.
> >
> > I used to have the recipe for a wonderful electroless Tin plating
> > solution based on Stannous Chloride, Sodium Chloride, and Sodium
> > Cyanide. Now that I'm older and wiser (and still alive), I no longer
> > use that particular material.
> >
> > Dave
> >
>
>


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