Author Archives: WorkingBear


Apr30
Understanding the EDX Report: Can EDX Be Used to Estimate a Sample’s Chemical Formula?

Workingbear has noticed that many people still have questions about EDX/EDS elemental analysis reports. This is the second article where he tries to provide answers based on his knowledge. EDX (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy), also known as EDS, is actually an … Continue reading

Apr23
Understanding the EDX Report: Why Does the Same Element Have Multiple Peaks?

In failure analysis reports for PCB assembly defects, we often use EDX or call EDS (Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) for chemical elemental analysis. However, many people don’t fully understand how EDX works, and they have only a vague idea of how to … Continue reading

Apr17
How to Identify Unknown Contaminants: Choosing Between EDX/EDS and FTIR

When we discover unknown contaminants on printed circuit boards assembly (PCBA) or electronic products, how do we determine what they are and where they come from? Do we rely on experience, or do we use scientific instruments for analysis? What … Continue reading

Apr10
What is PCB (Printed Circuit Board)? What Are Rigid, Flexible, and Rigid-Flex PCBs?

In the electronic devices we use daily—such as remote controls, smartphones, refrigerators, TVs, air conditioners, and computers—there is a crucial component called the Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The name comes from the way its electrical circuits are formed, similar to … Continue reading

Apr03
PCB Warping and Bowing: Causes, Prevention, and Best Design PracticesPCB warpage

A user asked: “During the SMT process, PCBs often warp or bow after going through reflow high temperature. In severe cases, this can lead to defects like insufficient solder joints or tombstoning. How can we prevent and solve this issue?” … Continue reading