Case 2240 ยท Public preview
A Tented Gold Spike Can Hide a Corrosion Path Through an ENIG Finish
Discolored electroless-nickel immersion-gold pads raised concern about corrosion and loss of finish integrity before assembly.
Optical microscopySEMEDSMetallographic microsectioningInterface-defect survey
What the evidence preview establishes
Localized immersion-gold spiking defects penetrated the nickel-phosphorus layer and created sites where copper could participate in galvanic corrosion beneath the gold finish.
Why this case matters
Do not judge ENIG integrity by surface color alone. Combine surface chemistry with cross-sectioning because a thin gold layer can tent over a narrow defect and conceal a path to the copper substrate.
Full evidence reserved for MEMBER and STOREThe complete case includes the evidence sequence, four interpreted figures, alternative explanations, limitations, and practical application guidance.