Abstract:
Apparatus is disclosed for sensing small changes in the specific gravity of a solution system undergoing change, whereby through periodic withdrawal and replenishment thereof to compensate for chemical reaction taking place within the solution, the specific gravity can be maintained substantially uniform. In the system, a portion of the solution is continuously monitored for specific gravity by a float operated sensor whose effective density is equal to a predetermined minimum specific gravity condition, and whose float volume bears a predetermined minimum numerical ratio to the minimum predetermined specific gravity, the sensor being employed to control operation of a pump which simultaneously withdraws solution which has undergone reaction and reintroduces an equal volume of fresh solution to the reaction site.
Abstract:
An aqueous solution of alkane sulfonic acid and inorganic nitrate used to strip metals from substrate surfaces, such as in stripping tin or tin-lead from copper surfaces, is regenerated by subjecting it to electrolysis to cause dissolved stripped metals therein to deposit in metallic form on the surfaces of a cathode.
Abstract:
A two step process is described for selectively stripping tin or tin-lead alloys from a copper substrate without significant loss of copper from the substrate. In a first step the substrate coated with tin or tin-lead alloy is subjected to the action of a first stripping composition which can be any of those known in the art containing a mixture of an oxidant for the metal or metals of said layer and an acceptor for the cation or cations so oxidized. When the stripping has reached the stage at which a thin film of tin remains on the copper substrate the latter is subjected to the action of a second stripping composition which comprises a mixture of an alkali metal hydroxide and an alkali metal chlorite until the film of tin has been removed and replaced by a film of copper oxide. If desired, the latter can be removed by known means such as treatment with aqueous acid. The process represents an improvement over known processes in which, in order to remove the last traces of tin from the copper substrate or to remove the film of tin which in some cases is re-deposited from the stripper composition itself, it is necessary to employ stripping conditions so rigorous that significant loss of copper from the substrate takes place. While the process of the invention is applicable to stripping of tin or tin-lead alloys from copper substrates in a wide variety of contexts, it is of particular application to stripping etch resists from copper substrates after completion of the etching step in formation of a printed circuit board.
Abstract:
A process for increasing the adhesion between a copper or copper alloy surface and a polymeric material is disclosed. The process comprises treating the copper or copper alloy surface with an aqueous solution of cupric ions at a pH from 2.8 to 4.2 to form an oxide conversion coating on the copper or copper alloy surface. The so treated surface can then be bonded to the polymeric material.
Abstract:
The adhesion between surfaces of polyimide, particularly the through hole surfaces of polyimide-based multilayer laminates used in the fabrication of multilayer printed circuits, is improved by pretreatment of the surfaces with an essentially non-alkaline aqueous permanganate solution.
Abstract:
A process and related system is disclosed for etching copper with, and regenerating, a working alkaline ammoniacal etchant solution, the regeneration involving withdrawal of a portion of the working solution as spent etchant solution and electrolytic removal therefrom of at least a portion of the etched copper therein so as to produce a fresh etchant solution which is returned to the working solution; accumulation vessels upstream and downstream of the electrolytic process; and supply to the working solution and/or the fresh etchant solution of sufficient oxygen and ammonia to maintain the desired cupric ion content and pH in the working solution.
Abstract:
Apparatus is disclosed for sensing small changes in the specific gravity of a solution system undergoing change, whereby through periodic withdrawal and replenishment thereof to compensate for chemical reaction taking place within the solution, the specific gravity can be maintained substantially uniform. In the system, a portion of the solution is continuously monitored for specific gravity by a float operated sensor whose effective density is equal to a predetermined minimum specific gravity condition, and whose float volume bears a predetermined minimum numerical ratio to the minimum predetermined specific gravity, the sensor being employed to control operation of a pump which simultaneously withdraws solution which has undergone reaction and reintroduces an equal volume of fresh solution to the reaction site.
Abstract:
A method of stripping silver from a printed circuit board without attacking the underlying base metal. The stripping solution comprises an oxidizing agent, an alkaline pH adjuster, and a silver solubilizing agent. After the silver has been sufficiently removed from the surface of the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board is contacted with a neutralization solution to remove any smut remaining on the surface. The silver stripping solution does not contain cyanide or chromium and does not require the use of anodic current.