ERAI Blog

SAE Releases "A" Revision to AS6171 Slash Sheet 2

ERAI, Inc.

On October 30, 2016, SAE International released aerospace standard AS6171 in order to standardize "inspection and test procedures, workmanship criteria, and minimum training and certification requirements to detect Suspect/Counterfeit (SC) Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) parts." The standard is intended to be implemented on parts that do not have traceability to the Original Component Manufacturer, on parts that have been purchased from brokers or independent distributors, or parts where the end user is concerned about the potential of suspect counterfeit parts.

On April 18, 2018, the G19A Test Laboratory Standards Development Committee published revisions to the standard, notably to Slash Sheet 2, "Techniques for Suspect/Counterfeit EEE Parts Detection by External Visual Inspection, Remarking and Resurfacing, and Surface Texture Analysis Using SEMT Test Methods."

Notable revisions contained in AS6171A Slash sheet 2 are:

The scope in AS6171/2A now has 6 methods versus 4 methods in AS6171/2. The difference is in the adding of Part Weight Measurement to Detailed EVI, the separation of remarking and resurfacing into two separate methods, and the addition of new parts dimensions measurement. This new parts dimensions measurement is conducted on a small sample of devices using non-destructive measurement techniques, while in AS6171/2 measurements were conducted using a micrometer, making it a destructive procedure.
In AS6171/2 Section 5.3.2.2. (Overview of Part Inspection), the part dimensions are verified using destructive technique, but the parts are not weighed. In the same section of AS6171/2A, part dimensions are no longer verified; instead, detailed weight measurements are to be performed on 22 parts or less depending on the size of the lot. After parts are weighed and the mean value is calculated, any part that deviates from the mean value by greater than 20% will be marked for further evaluation as a suspect/counterfeit part.
In Section 5.3.2.6 (the external package shall be inspected for the following suspect criteria:), Subsection D contains new language adding, "signs of debris such as ink, dirt, water or other residue, uneven discoloration or shading" to the suspect criteria.
In Section 5.3.2.6 (the external package shall be inspected for the following suspect criteria:), Subsection i there is new language adding, "on ceramic packages with metal top and frit seal, note differences in the frit color across the part" to the suspect criteria.
Section 5.3.4.2 (Equipment for Resurfacing Tests) now includes "fume hood suitable for chemicals as specified in 5.3.4.3, which was not required in the previous version".
Section 5.3.4.3 (Materials) no longer lists Dynasolve by brand name, but rather lists "Commercial Solvent 1" (Epoxy/urethane solvent with active ingredients comprised of Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether, Methyl Alcohol and Potassium Hydroxide) and "Commercial Solvent 2" (Polymer remover with active ingredients comprised of Methyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Sulfinylbis-Methane, 1-Phenoxy-2-propanol, and 1-Methoxy-2-propanol).
Section 5.3.5. "Method E Part Dimensions Measurement is now a stand-alone new test.
Section 6 "Test Report" no longer requires images of "external packaging with label and barcodes" and "component packaging (moisture barrier, ESD Bags, etc.)" that were required in AS6171/2.

AS6171A can be purchased through SAE International: https://www.sae.org/standards/content/as6171/2a/