Homebrew PCBs

I don't know if this is obtainable for most people or not, but what I use is "liquid tin" from M.G. Chemicals (www.mgchemicals.com)

I don't know what it really is, but its awesome stuff.  The 500 ml bottle I have has lasted longer than I can remember (many years) as I don't throw it away after using it.   I have even done "spot rework" with a cotton swap of the stuff - just brush is on like paint and it instantly plates.   The solderability is great, I do SMT stuff by hand all the time and have no problem making connections and good looking joints. 

Peter



	JanRwl@...
	05/20/2003 12:37 PM
		 
		 To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com@Internet
		 cc: (bcc: Peter Welty/Americas/NSC)
		 Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Tin plating...

In a message dated 5/19/2003 3:29:52 PM Central Standard Time, nuno-t@... 
writes:

> Iâ  m also interested in such a formula.   Iâ  ve heard that silver nitrate is 
> used to this purpose. Is this truth?  Does anyone have more info?
> 

TIN is in a completely different apartment on the Periodic Table.  AgNO³ will 
"plate" copper with NO DC applied.  It does NOT improve solderability at all, 
and will COST you more than the PCB itself, PER SIDE!  I recall when I was in 
high school, in '61, one fluid ounce of concentrated AgNO³ solution cost 
about $6.00, so that may well be $30 today for ONE fluid ounce!  Dunno...

Tin (Sn) is fussy, but Kepro, if my feeble old mind serves me, sells a 
yellow/white crusty chemical which "electrolessly" plates tin onto copper, 
and the only "energy" required is a bit of heat.  This stuff can be used over 
and over until depleted, but it DOES "go bad" with time, as I recall.  It 
also leaves a relatively THIN tin-plating on copper, but it DOES improve 
solderability if done SKILLFULLY (i.e., "cleanly").  I no longer have Kepro's 
address, but I IMAGINE they can be found on the Internet with an everyday 
Google search.

Jan Rowland


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Homebrew_PCBs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/