1. PCB patch processing is increasingly popular and common in the electronics industry. PCB boards come in various colors, which are actually determined by the solder mask. The solder mask plays a crucial role in PCB patch processing as it protects components, prevents incorrect soldering, extends the device’s lifespan, and reduces susceptibility to oxidation or corrosion. Generally, PCB boards are predominantly green. Why is green the most common color, and what are its advantages?

2. The green solder mask is preferred primarily because it is the most mature and straightforward process, and green boards are also more environmentally friendly. Besides green, PCB boards can come in colors such as white, yellow, red, blue, matte finishes, and even hues like chrysanthemum, purple, black, and bright green. White is used particularly for applications like lamps and lanterns, while other colors often serve to differentiate various product samples. Throughout the company’s journey from R&D to product release, the PCB board colors might vary: experimental boards might be purple, critical boards might be red, and internal computer boards might be black. These colors help in distinguishing and labeling different types of boards.

3. Green solder mask ink has a long history, is cost-effective, and remains popular due to its numerous advantages. In PCB processing, the production of electronic products involves several stages, including board making and post-film applications. During this process, boards often pass through yellow light rooms, where the visual effect of green PCB boards is more favorable.

2. Secondly, during SMT patch processing, the steps of tinning, patching, and AOI verification all require optical positioning calibration. The green bottom plate is more advantageous for recognition by the instrument.

3. Part of the inspection process relies on worker observation (although most now use flying probe testing instead of manual inspection). Staring at the board under strong light, green is easier on the eyes.

4. Green PCBs are also relatively environmentally friendly. When recycled at high temperatures, they do not release toxic gases. Other PCB colors, such as blue and black, use cobalt and carbon, respectively, which can have weak electrical conductivity and pose a risk of short circuits. Additionally, darker colors like black, purple, and blue make inspection and maintenance more challenging, complicating the process. For example, black boards are more prone to chromatic aberration due to process and raw material issues, leading to a higher defect rate. The traces on black circuit boards are harder to distinguish, increasing post-maintenance and debugging difficulty. Many PCB factories avoid using black PCBs. Even in high-quality fields like military and industrial control, green PCBs are predominantly used. While the color of the PCB board does not affect its ultimate performance, green is preferred for its visibility during processing and its friendly recognition by optical instruments. Green PCBs are also perceived as environmentally friendly, contributing to their widespread use and market dominance.

Leave a Comment

Contact

WellCircuits
More than PCB

Upload your GerberFile(7z,rar,zip)