Electro-brite electroless copper processes

 Back Making holes conductive
Electroless Copper 2060 Process
Electroless Copper 270
 

Electro-Brite Electroless Copper 2060 Process

Product Description
Electro-Brite Electroless Copper 2060 Process is a room temperature medium build electroless copper system. It is designed to deposit 70 microinches (1.75 microns) in 30 minutes and 50 microinches (1.25 microns) in 20 minutes at 24°C (75°F).

The Electro-Brite Electroless Copper 2060 Process is a reliable and economical process designed for multilayers as well as conventional double sided PTH boards.
Solution makup
Electro-Brite 2060 A 7% by volume
Electro-Brite 2060 M* 8.5% by volume
Formaldehyde 37% by weight 0.22% by volume
Deionized Water Balance


*2060 M is used only on make-up. Bath is replenished with2060 A and 2060 B (or 2060 BXX).
Operating conditions
  Nominal Range
Electro-Brite 2060 A 100% (2.5 g/L Cu) 80 - 120% (2.0 - 3.0 g/L Cu)
Electro-Brite 2060 B (or 2060 BXX) 100% (10.0 g/L NaOH) 80 - 120% (8.0 - 12.0 g/L NaOH)
Formaldehyde 100% (5.9 g/L) 80 - 120% (4.8 - 7.0 g/L)
Temperature 24°C (75°F) 21 - 27°C (70 - 80°F)
Time 70 microinches (1.75 microns) in 30 minutes.
Agitation Air is required. Mechanical is recommended.
Filtration To remove particles over 5 microns.
Bath Loading 0.5 - 2.0 surface ft.2/gal. (1.2 - 4.9 dm2/ liter)
Recommended process cycle
  1. Cleaner/Conditioner ML-371
  2. Rinse
  3. 10% sulfuric acid dip
  4. Rinse
  5. CO-BRA ETCH® or Cu Prep II
  6. Rinse
  7. Pre-Dip PD-472
  8. Catalyst C-473
  9. Rinse
  10. Rinse
  11. Accelerator A-676
  12. Rinse
  13. Electroless Copper 2060
  14. Rinse
  15. 10% sulfuric acid dip
  16. Rinse
  17. Copper Inhibitor L.D. III (optional)
  18. Rinse (optional)
  19. Dry

Bath operation and maintenance
Maintenance can be based upon square feet processed or upon wet analysis using analytical procedures included at the end of this data sheet.

Maintenance replenishment based on work load (required for production following initial start-up additions):

Surface Area 2060 A 2060 B (or BXX)
1.0 sq. ft. for 30 minutes 26 mL 17 mL
1.0 sq. ft. for 20 minutes 19 mL 13 mL


The bath should be analyzed and adjusted daily. To maintain the solution level, remove a volume of bath equal to the volume of Electro-Brite 2060 A and Electro-Brite 2060 B to be added.
]
Replenishment based upon analysis results:
To raise concentration of copper by 10% add 26.5 mL/gal of 2060 A. Make this addition before analyzing for 2060 B or BXX and formaldehyde.

A 10% add of 2060 A decreases the 2060 B (BXX) concentration by 5%. (After adding the 2060 A, analyze for the 2060 B concentration.)

To raise concentration of 206 B (BXX) by 10% add 20 ml/gal of 2060 B or BXX.

To raise concentration of formaldehyde by 10% add 5.7 ml/gal of 37% formaldehyde.



Inactive Periods

1. The bath should be stored at 80% or less make up concentration overnight or weekends.
2. The bath should be filtered into a clean tank periodically to maintain bath life and stability.
3. To start the bath, analyze and adjust to optimum.

Equipment
Tanks should be made on polypropylene, high density polyethylene or glass.

Racks should be constructed of type 316 stainless steel, polypropylene, polyethylene or PVC. Boards should be racked vertically and angles 5 - 10 degrees to permit solution flow through the holes.

Heaters should be made of quartz or Teflon®.

Work bar agitation of the rack during the plating cycle is recommended. A 3 - 5 inch stroke agitating at 15 - 25 cycles/minute is adequate.

Constant air agitation is required. The air must be supplied by a blower: DO NOT USE COMPRESSED AIR.

Continuous filtration is recommended to prevent particles from settling on the work and causing roughness. The solution should be turned over 5 - 8 times per hour through a 3 - 10 micron polypropylene filter.
Waste Treatment
Add 1% by volume formaldehyde, 2 oz/gal sodium hydroxide, 1 g/L ferrous sulfate, and heat to 71°C (160°F) until the solution is decomposed and the copper precipitated.

Neutralize the clear, colorless liquid for disposal as required by local authorities.
Safety
Electro-Brite 2060 A contains copper salts and reducing agents and should not be mixed with oxidizing agents.
Avoid breathing vapor and contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. In case of contact, immediately flush skin and eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. For eyes, get immediate medical attention.
Do not store near heat or in direct sunlight. Flush all spills with water.
Do not take internally. Electro-Brite 2060 B (or 2060 BXX) and 2060 M are strongly alkaline.
Avoid eye, skin, and oral contact. Wear goggles, rubber gloves and protective clothing. In case of contact, immediately flush skin and eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes For eyes, get immediate medical attention.

Back to top

Electro-Brite Electroless Copper 270

Product Description
Electro-Brite Electroless Copper 270 is an extremely stable electroless copper process yielding a medium thickness deposit. Its fine grain structure provides an excellent defense against multilayer defects as well as positioning it at the top of the line for double-sided work. In addition, its formulation was oriented specifically toward eliminating small hole voiding problems commonly associated with electroless copper.

TThis stable bath is user-friendly and requires no morning dummy racks or special nightly shutdown procedures, and can be dropped into any line containing Electrochemicals' pre-plating chemistry.
Solution makup
Deionized Water Balance
Electro-Brite Copper 270 M 10.0% by volume
Electro-Brite Copper 270 B 3.75% by volume
Formaldehyde (37%) 1.10% by volume

Operating conditions
  Nominal Range
Electro-Brite 270 A 100% (2.5 g/L Cu) 80 - 120% (2.0 - 3.0 g/L)
Electro-Brite 270 B 100% (7.0 g/L NaOH) 80 - 120% (5.6 - 8.4 g/L)
Formaldehyde 100% (4.0 g/L) 80 - 120% (3.2 - 4.8 g/L)
Temperature 43°C (110°F) 41 - 49°C (105 - 120°F)
Time 65 microinches (1.5 microns) in 30 minutes at 110°F.
Agitation Air is required. Mechanical is recommended.
Filtration 25 micron in weir overflow
Bath Loading 0.5 - 2.0 surface ft.2/gal. (1.2 - 4.9 dm2/ liter)
Recommended process cycle
  1. Cleaner/Conditioner ML-371
  2. Rinse
  3. Cu-Prep III
  4. Rinse
  5. Pre-Dip PD-472
  6. Catalyst C-473
  7. Rinse
  8. Rinse
  9. Accelerator A-676
  10. Rinse
  11. Electroless Copper 270
  12. Rinse
  13. Copper Inhibitor L.D. III (optional)
  14. Rinse
  15. Dry

Bath operation and maintenance
Component Breakdown
270 A - Copper, Formaldehyde
270 B - Caustic, Chelator: Used for working replenishment
270 M - Copper, Chelator: Used for initial bath make-up only

Maintenance and replenishment can be based on square feet of work processed or by the analytical control. (Procedures are included at the end of the data sheet.)

Replenishment based on workload:
The following additions are based on an average plating rate of 65 microinches of copper per 30 minutes. Replenishment should be made either continually or at regular intervals in order to maintain the bath components within range. Although these additions will keep the bath near operating parameters during average plating times, full analysis should be done periodically to ensure proper component concentrations, which can vary with workload and bath age.

Surface Area 270 A 270 B
1.0 sq. ft. for 30 minutes 26 mL 17 mL
1.0 sq. ft. for 20 minutes 19 mL 11 mL


Before making additions, remove the total addition volume (270 A plus 270 B.) Because of evaporation, water may need to be added throughout the day to maintain level.

A precipitate will form when the Electro-Brite Copper 270 A is added to the bath. For this reason the concentrate should be added into the inlet of the recirculation system or to the weir overflow tank.

Replenishment via an automatic controller:
If a controller is used to monitor copper and make adds, it should be connected to another pump that will bail out the total volume added. Set the flow of the pumps to the following ratio: .
]
270 A 270 B Bail Out
1.0 0.667 1.667

Morning Replenishment:
After a nightly or weekend shutdown, the formaldehyde and caustic concentrations will be lower than optimal.

Analyze the 270 A concentration using the procedure included at the end of the data sheet and use the following chart to make the add. Do this before analyzing the caustic and formaldehyde concentrations. Add the required amount of 270 A. Remember to first bail out whatever volume is to be added to the bath.

After adding the required 270 A volume, analyze the caustic and formaldehyde concentrations. To raise the caustic level, add 270 B, and to raise the formaldehyde level, add formaldehyde.

To raise: By: Add:
270 A 10% (0.25 g/L) 26.5 ml/gal of 270 A
270 B 10% (0.70 g/L) 14.1 ml/gal of 270 B
Formaldehyde 10% (0.40 g/L) 4.25 ml/gal of Formaldehyde (37%)


A 10% add of 270 A increases the formaldehyde concentration by 8.5% by volume.

A 10% add of 270 A decreases the 270 B concentration by 5%. (After adding the 270 A, analyze for the 270 B concentration.)
Inactive Periods
  1. Make no further replenishment after the last load of production. There is no need to dummy the chemistry down, but a manual replenishment after the last load is unnecessary.
  2. Cool the bath to ambient temperature. Once cooled, minimal plate out should occur. Continue mild air agitation.
  3. The bath should be filtered into a clean tank once a week to maintain bath life and stability.
  4. To start the bath, analyze and adjust all components back to optimum conditions.
Equipment
Tanks should be made of polypropylene or high-density polyethylene. An overflow weir is preferred.

Racks should be constructed of type 316 stainless steel, polypropylene, polyethylene or PVC. Boards should be racked vertically and angled 5 - 10 degrees to permit solution flow through the holes.

Heaters should be made of quartz or Teflon®.

Work bar agitation of the rack during the plating cycle is recommended. A 3 - 5 inch stroke agitating at 15 - 25 cycles/min. is adequate. A solution sparger aimed at the tank bottom can also be utilized for additional agitation.

Constant mild air agitation is recommended. The air must be supplied by a blower; do not use compressed air.

Continuous filtration is required to prevent particles from settling on the work and causing roughness. A weir overflow with a 25 micron filter bag is recommended.
Waste treatment
Add 1% by volume formaldehyde, 2 oz/gal sodium hydroxide, 1 g/L ferrous sulfate, and heat to 71°C (160°F) until the solution is decomposed and the copper precipitated.

Dispose of solutions and precipitate in accordance with all applicable Federal, state, and local regulations.




Equipment
Tanks should be made on polypropylene, high density polyethylene or glass.

Racks should be constructed of type 316 stainless steel, polypropylene, polyethylene or PVC. Boards should be racked vertically and angles 5 - 10 degrees to permit solution flow through the holes.

Heaters should be made of quartz or Teflon®.

Work bar agitation of the rack during the plating cycle is recommended. A 3 - 5 inch stroke agitating at 15 - 25 cycles/minute is adequate.

Constant air agitation is required. The air must be supplied by a blower: DO NOT USE COMPRESSED AIR.

Continuous filtration is recommended to prevent particles from settling on the work and causing roughness. The solution should be turned over 5 - 8 times per hour through a 3 - 10 micron polypropylene filter.
Waste Treatment
Add 1% by volume formaldehyde, 2 oz/gal sodium hydroxide, 1 g/L ferrous sulfate, and heat to 71°C (160°F) until the solution is decomposed and the copper precipitated.

Neutralize the clear, colorless liquid for disposal as required by local authorities.

 
 


Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Back to top | Electrochemicals Inc Home