PCB Electroplating: Process & 8 Common Issues
PCBs are crucial across various sectors like aviation, military, and household electronics due to their structural importance. Copper facilitates conductivity for component connections on PCBs, but prolonged exposure to air causes oxidation and solderability loss due to corrosion. Protecting PCBs with specialized technologies is vital. The PCB electroplating process involves multiple steps including acid treatment, copper plating, pattern transfer, and various rinsing stages. Three main electroplating technologies—oxide film, organic coating, and electroplating—are employed, with electroplating being preferred by most manufacturers despite alternatives like oxide film and organic coating.