Electronics Forum | Wed May 03 22:14:29 EDT 2006 | davef
We think well done carbon ink and well done ENIG are equally reliable [maybe 1M operations]. If the gold is pourous [not all that an uncommon], ENIG is far less reliable than carbon ink.
Electronics Forum | Fri Dec 14 10:59:23 EST 2001 | Donald C. Burr
We are considering converting from a water wash wave solder porcess of carbon ink touch pad buttons to a no-clean process. Since the carbon ink buttons are exposed to the molten solder, we are concerned about the residue that is left behind from the
Electronics Forum | Thu Mar 05 22:13:16 EST 2009 | davef
There is no IPC specification on carbon ink. Consider talking to your ink supplier to develop the proper quality definition that you require. Most suppliers have a good understanding of their product performance, for instance: http://www.coates.com/
Electronics Forum | Mon Dec 17 17:30:40 EST 2001 | davef
One of our board fabricators says that carbon inks should be selected based on the process to be used by the assembler. So, their take on this question has some inks that work fine with nc fluxes, others that do not. They suggest: * Determining t
Electronics Forum | Tue May 02 20:55:10 EDT 2006 | Board House
Hi all, I'm looking for anyone with info in regards to reliability of carbon ink vs. Immersion Gold Key pads. I have customers that still request Carbon Ink for there Key pads, while the majority have switch to Immersion Gold. Is there any readin
Electronics Forum | Fri Mar 13 11:55:23 EDT 2009 | boardhouse
Hi GSX, just and FYI on why you are seeing a difference per lots. Carbon Ink is Not used on a steady bases by most manufactures, and shelf life of the Carbon ink is fairly short, my guess is what they are doing is adding thinner to the carbon ink t
Electronics Forum | Wed May 03 15:56:25 EDT 2006 | Board House
Hi Patrick, Thank you for the info, We like to push ENIG, for us being the ENIG line is in house it is cheaper to use than the carbon, plus shelf life of the Carbon is an issue in Storage. Pre-application. Thanks again, Mike
Electronics Forum | Fri Aug 05 12:13:28 EDT 2005 | spommer
As part of our conversion to lead-free, I'm redesigning a pcb that had switch contact patterns screened on the board using carbon ink. On the new board, I plan on using the ENIG process and having the switch contacts be patterns of copper with the n
Electronics Forum | Wed May 03 15:00:44 EDT 2006 | patrickbruneel
It all depends on process, design and environment in which the contacts are used. Both have excellent conductivity characteristics Both don't oxidize over time On the other hand gold is much softer then carbon, and after hitting that contact a gazil
Electronics Forum | Thu Jan 06 17:33:07 EST 2011 | boardhouse
Hi Johan, Sounds like you have already gone over your product very well to reduce product cost. Switching away from Deep gold Tabs & carbon ink Key pads can save quite a bit. The only other thing to suggest would be material - Moving away from Isol
