Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- decap:metal [2012/07/21 22:59] – mcmaster
+++ decap:metal [2025/08/04 21:23] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+See also: [[decap:ceramic|Metal lid ceramic]]
 ====== Lid ======
-Professional labs use miniature can openers to avoid getting any fragments into the package since failure analysis may want to see if the device failed from particulates.  For RE purposes a Dremel can suffice followed by a good clean.
+===== Can opener =====
+Professional labs use miniature can openers to avoid getting any fragments into the package since failure analysis may want to see if the device failed from particulates.
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt_zFq4qzd0
+===== Cutting =====
-====== Die ======
+While can openers are good for failure analysis, for RE purposes a Dremel can suffice followed by a good clean.  See [Dremel TO-3] for an instructional video!  They can also be worked at room temperature by prying up the metal and peeling it back.
-Sometimes dies are soldered to a substrate (eg: silver heatsink / carrier).  Example after die was removed (by force):
-{{:decap:metal:silver_solder:corner.jpg?300|}}
+===== Thermal =====
-Note the raised corners.  This means that without completely melting the solder it is hard to get loose.  Soak in nitric acid and it should quickly dissolve and come loose:
+Ceramic-metal lids can also be removed with a torch.  However, it is easy to warp the ceramic package making it difficult to get a good image of the die.
-{{:decap:metal:silver_solder:hno3ed.jpg?300|}}
-Of course, it might take a while to get under the entire die.  Heating without will help to get it off but I have found that it can take a lot of force to move even with solder melted and so its best to chemically remove as much silver as possible first.
+====== References ======
+  * TO-3 Dremel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt_zFq4qzd0