Circuit Board Repair Guide > Conductor Repair > 4.7.2 How to Repair Damaged SMT Pads Using New Pads and Film Adhesive

CTC 4.7.2 How to Repair Damaged SMT Pads Using New Pads and Film Adhesive

This procedure is used to replace damaged surface mount pads with new dry film, adhesive backed pads. The new pads are bonded to the printed circuit board surface using a specially designed circuit bonding system or bonding iron.

Caution
It is essential that the board surface be smooth and flat. If the base material is damaged see appropriate procedure.

Note
This method uses replacement surface mount pads. The new pads are fabricated from copper foil. They are available in hundreds of sizes and shapes and are generally supplied solder plated. If a special size or shape is needed it can be custom fabricated.
 
Damaged surface mount pad needs replacement
Damaged Surface Mount Pad

IPC Acceptability References
IPC-A-600 2.0 Externally Observable Characteristics
IPC-A-610 10.0 Laminate Conditions
 
Related Procedure References
CTC 1.0 Foreword - Circuit Board Repair Guide
CTC 2.1 Handling Electronic Assemblies
CTC 2.2.1 How to Clean a Circuit Board
CTC 2.2.2 Cleaning Circuit Boards, Aqueous Batch Process
CTC 2.5 Baking and Preheating of Printed Circuit Boards
CTC 2.7 Epoxy Mixing and Handling
IPC 7721 4.7.2 Surface Mount Pad Repair, Film Adhesive Method

Tools and Materials
Bonding Iron
Bonding Tips
Bonding System
Circuit Frames, Surface Mount Pads       
Cleaner
Epoxy
Flux, Liquid       
Knife
LCD Zoom Microscope       
Oven
Scraper
Solder
Soldering Station
Professional Repair Kit       
Tape, Kapton
Tweezers
Wipes

4.7.2 Surface Mount Pad Repair, Film Adhesive Method

Printed Board Type: R/F/C  |  Skill Level: Advanced  |  Conformance Level: Medium  |  Rev.: E  |  Rev. Date: May 8, 2001

Remove defective SMT pad and solder mask

Figure 1: Remove the defective SMT
pad and remove solder mask from
the connecting circuit.

1.  
Clean the area.
 
2.
Remove the defective surface mount pad and a short length of the connecting circuit. (See Figure 1).
 
3.
Use a knife and scrape off any epoxy residue, contamination or burned material from the board surface.
 
4.
Scrape off any solder mask or coating from the connecting circuit. (See Figure 1).
 
5.
Clean the area.

6.  
Apply a small amount of liquid flux to the connection area on the board surface and tin with solder. Clean the area. The length of the overlap solder connection should be a minimum of 2 times the circuit width.
 
7.
The area for the new surface mount pad on the board surface must be smooth and flat. If internal fibers of the board are exposed, or if there are deep scratches in the surface, they should be repaired. Refer to appropriate procedure.
 
Select replacement SMT pad

Figure 2: Select a replacement SMT
pad that matches the missing pad.


8.  
Select a replacement surface mount pad that most closely matches the surface mount pad to be replaced. If a special size or shape is needed they can be custom fabricated. (See Figure 2).

Note
New surface mount pads are fabricated from copper foil. The foil is plated on the top side with solder, and an adhesive bonding film is applied to the bottom side.
Scrape off adhesive on back of pad

Figure 3: Scrape off the adhesive bonding film from the solder joint
area on the back of new pad.


9.  
Before trimming out the new SMT pad carefully scrape off the adhesive bonding film from the solder joint connection area on the back of the new pad. (See Figure 3).

Caution
Scrape off the epoxy backing only from the joint connection area. When handling the replacement contact, avoid touching the epoxy backing with your fingers or other materials that may contaminate the surface and reduce the bond strength.
Cut out new surface mount pad

Figure 4: Cut out the new surface
mount pad. Cut from the plated side.


10. 
Cut out and trim the new surface mount pad. Cut out from the plated side. Cut the length to provide the maximum allowable circuit overlap for soldering. Minimum 2 times the circuit width. (See Figure 4).
Place surface mount pad using tape

Figure 5: Place the new surface
mount pad in place using Kapton
tape.


11. 
Place a piece of Kapton tape over the top surface of the new pad. Place the new SMT pad into position on the circuit board surface using the Kapton tape to help in alignment. (See Figure 5).
 
12.
Select a bonding tip with a shape to match the shape of the new surface mount pad. See bonding tip chart in the replacement parts section of the manual provided with the repair system or circuit board repair kit.

Note
The tip used for bonding should be as small as possible but should completely cover the entire surface of the new pad.
Bond new SMT pad using Bonding System

Figure 6: Bond the new SMT pad
using a Bonding System.

13. 
Position the circuit board so that it is flat and stable. Gently place the hot bonding tip onto the kapton tape covering the new SMT pad. Apply pressure as recommended in the manual of the repair system or repair kit for 5 seconds to tack the new pad in place. Carefully peel off the tape. (See Figure 6).

Caution
Excessive bonding pressure may cause measling in the circuit board surface or may cause the new pad to slide out of position.
 
14.
Gently place the bonding tip directly onto the new surface mount pad. Apply pressure as recommended in the manual of the repair system or repair kit for an additional 30 seconds to fully bond the pad. After the bonding cycle remove the tape used for alignment. The new pad is fully cured. Carefully clean the area and inspect the new SMT pad for proper alignment.
 
Surface mount pad repair completed

Figure 7: Surface mount pad repair
completed.
15. 
If the new pad has a connecting circuit apply a small amount of liquid flux to the lap solder joint connection area and solder the circuit from the new pad to the circuit on the circuit board surface. Use minimal flux and solder to ensure a reliable connection. Tape may be placed over the top of the new pad to prevent excess solder overflow.

Note
If the configuration permits, the overlap solder joint connection should be a minimum of 3.00 mm (0.125") from the related termination. This gap will minimize the possibility of simultaneous reflow during soldering operations. Refer to 7.1 Soldering Basics.
 
16.
Mix epoxy and coat the lap solder joint connection. Cure the epoxy per Procedure 2.7 Epoxy Mixing and Handling.

Note
Additional epoxy can be applied around the perimeter of the new pad to provide additional bond strength.

Caution
Some components may be sensitive to high temperature.
 
17.
Apply surface coating to match prior coating as required.
 
  Evaluation
 
1.  
Visual examination.
 
2.  
Measurement of new pad width and spacing.
 
3.  
Electrical continuity measurement.
 



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4.7.2 How to Repair Damaged SMT Pads Using New Pads and Film Adhesive