Case 1220 ยท Public preview
Board-Level Chloride Corrosion Can Impersonate a Failed Capacitor
Circuit faults were attributed to a nearby multilayer ceramic capacitor, but removed parts were not shorted and mounted examples measured alike.
Electrical testingSEMEDSMicrosectioningAssembly surveyLocalized-corrosion comparison
What the evidence preview establishes
The evidence did not support an intrinsic capacitor failure. Chloride-bearing activated flux residue and tin-lead corrosion surrounded the component and other nearby conductors, creating credible external leakage or electrochemical-migration paths to an adjacent ground plane.
Why this case matters
Do not replace the nearest component and stop the investigation. Electrically test the removed part, section it for internal defects, then survey the surrounding assembly for conductive residue and alternate leakage paths that can make a sound component appear faulty.
Full evidence reserved for MEMBER and STOREThe complete case includes the evidence sequence, four interpreted figures, alternative explanations, limitations, and practical application guidance.