🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <BzJExG.40D@zoo.toronto.edu> henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes:
>Apart from the possibility of deducing the chip type by studying the rest
>of the circuit, the only way to find out is to get the epoxy off.  That
>is Not Easy.  The stuff is completely inert as far as the usual run of
>solvents etc. are concerned.  It can be done, using truly vile chemicals,
>but it's not the sort of thing you want to try unless you really know
>what you're doing.

You can do it with DMSO.  I have reverse-engineered a number of potted
modules by soaking them in DMSO.  Note that DMSO will also remove the
epoxy board underneath if you aren't very careful about it, and will also
(in the case of more complex modules) remove the coating from resistors
and capacitors making them difficult to read values from.

DMSO is readily available at your local health food store.  Note that the
solution of epoxy in DMSO is lethal and can be absorbed through the skin.
Use with proper ventilation, eye and skin protection.  Very, very nasty
stuff.
--scott