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Pine Beach, NJ

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Tin plating over a solder joint

Is it possible to tin plate over a 50/50 Sn/Pb solder joint? We are currently having void problems trying to solder these parts together. Both parts are tin plated and I would like to plate them after assembly as they must be "visually free of voids". This an N.B.C. component.

Mark S. Dughman
- Mansfield, Ohio
2005

First of two simultaneous responses --

Tin plating over tin/lead solder is no problem. Clean, pickle in 15-25% fluoboric acid and plate.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2005

Second of two simultaneous responses --

Can do! The trick is to avoid any cleaner (particularly electro)or mineral acid that will react with the lead in the solder joint - the best is to mechanically prepare part - light glass bead blast, Skotch-Brite abrade, etc. - followed by copper flash and right into the tin. Keep prep times to minimum for best results....

Milt Stevenson, Jr.
Syracuse, New York
2005

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