New Chemetall process gives precise component positioning on circuit boards
New Chemetall process gives precise component positioning on circuit boards
Keywords Chemetall, Plating
Chemetall Plating Technologies, Europe's third largest supplier of electro-chemistry products, has entered the precious metals market, which is dominated by connectors, with a complete range of plating products under the generic name "Precium". All are now available in the UK from Chemetall Ltd.
Of particular importance is Chemetall's Nikor process for attaching components on to surface-mount circuit boards. This requires a surface which is solderable and as flat as possible. Traditional techniques of selective immersion tinning, reflow of electro-deposited tin-lead, electrolytic nickel-gold and solderable lacquers all have limitations.
The advantages of the Nikor process are that it combines excellent solder ability with perfect flatness, thus greatly facilitating precise component positioning. The Nikor range is entirely immersion, with simple chemistry and is easy to set up. Deposit thickness is constant and can be adjusted with great precision, with no edge effects. The combination of Nixel 455 (5m nickel-phosphorous eight per cent, corrosion resistant) and Nikor 790 (0.05m pure gold) assures optimum solderability, even after lengthy storage.
The simplicity of the line and the low thickness of gold deposited makes the Nikor process competitive with selective tinning (HAL). The Nikor sequence is applied over etched copper circuitry, after stripping the electrolytic tin-lead deposit. The boards are generally covered with a stop-off lacquer which limits the surface to be treated and hence operating costs.
For further information, please contact Chemetall Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1296 399233; Fax: +44 (0) 1296 399211.
