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Receptacles    A DB Design Product

Antares Advanced Test Technologies Solves Receptacle Materials Problem

Receptacles, or socket savers, were developed years ago in order to allow test engineers to replace through- hole sockets on high priced test boards. Until the advent of compression mount test sockets, the use of receptacles was common-place on most test floors, particularly as cost constraints were enforced.

Traditionally receptacles are machined from Ultem 1000, a translucsent plastic material, with holes drilled to a pattern equivalent to the footprint pattern of the socket tails. The machined base acts as an insulator. Contacts are then press fit into the holes of the machined plastic base. The manufacturer’s data sheet for Ultem 1000 lists specifications that meet most thermal, electrical and mechanical requirements for receptacles and their applications. However, what the data sheet does not disclose is that Ultem 1000 is a stress sensitive material.

Ultem 1000 cracks under stress. When receptacles are manufactured the material is fixtured, milled, and drilled; each manufacturing step induces stress on the material. Stress is also induced on the material when the contacts are press fit into the machined plastic. This stress is not relieved once the assembly is complete, it is a continuously applied stress. The pressure is increased by a factor of two when two contacts are pressed in near one another, and dramatically multiplies over a grid of pins. After initial assembly, there are no visible cracks but hidden inside the insulator are unstable mechanical bonds, or “micro-fractures”. In further research, polymer scientists have stated that Ultem 1000 can also be affected by some chemicals, thermal cycles, and mechanical pressure.

Although the micro-fractures cannot be seen upon delivery and receipt, propagation of the micro-fractures tends to occur when the receptacle is exposed to high temperatures during soldering application to the test board, or the cleaning process which occurs after soldering. Additional risks are implied when the test socket is inserted into the receptacle, and even further when the test engineer conducts thermal cycle testing of devices. In most cases the fractures propagate between pins resulting in increased cross talk, mechanical failure, metal migration, or other type of failure rendering the test board at risk to receptacle removal and repair.

A cost effective solution to avoid the risks associated with cracking receptacles is the implemetation of Techtron PPS as a substitution for Ultem 1000. Techtron has a higher working temperature, per available data sheets, yet it is not susceptible to micro-fractures. The additional cost is negligible, particularly when the risks associated with Ultem 1000 are mitigated. Cracked Ultem receptacles ruin valuable pc boards and increase down time, Tectron PPS is the solution.

Antares highly recommends Techtron PPS for all of your receptacle requirements. For more information please contact your local sales representative.

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