How do I store my PCB?
Immersion silver finished boards need to be packaged to prevent exposure to air circulation. This can be in a sealed bags or any similar container that will exclude the direct contact with the air. The optimum storage conditions for the wrapped packets are to be kept at 30°C or less and a 50% Relative Humidity area.
How long can I keep the Printed Circuit Boards for?
Silver finished Circuit boards can be stored for 6-12 months in dry conditions; this is the same for HASL. The longer the boards are stored for the more moisture can be absorbed, and the higher the risk of assembly problems. Vacuum sealing the PCB’s will delay/lessen the moisture absorption but cannot prevent it completely. If your packet of boards have been opened for assembly they should ideally be used within 1 week or re-wrapped for further storage.
What should I do if my boards are older than this?
If your boards have been stored for longer than 6-12 months it is recommended to perform a solderability test prior to the assembly. The board finish will stay ‘bright’ and should not suffer from any discolouration (yellow or black) which would indicate contamination. If there is any doubt contamination has occurred please contact us for advice.
Assembling the circuit boards
It is highly recommended that boards are baked before assembly to ensure there is no excess moisture or problems that would impede the assembly. If you do need to bake them for stress relief and moisture reduction a dedicate oven is best to avoid any other contamination, if unavailable they should be wrapped tightly in aluminium foil.
Philip King
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