8 Layer SMD PCB Assembly Half Hole 0.8 MM Immersion Gold Multilayer Metal Core PCB

8 Layer PCB Half Hole 0.8 MM Thickness Immersion Gold

Board Info:

1 Part NO: Half hole PCB0004

2 Layer Count: 8 Layer PCB

3 Finished Board Thickness: 0.8 MM tolerance is +/-0.1MM

4 Solder Mask: Green 

5 Min Lind Space&Width: 2.5/2.5 mil

6 Application Area: GPS Module

Our Capabilities:

FAQ:

Q1: Causes of PCB Corrosion and How to Prevent it?

A1: Failure of electronic devices is a major concern anywhere in the world. One of the major causes of failures is corrosion. Corrosion increases the resistance of the copper tracks on the surface of a circuit board. Progressive corrosion can make the board work ineffectively, or even make it stop working altogether. We recommend understanding the basic causes of PCB corrosion. This paves the way for proper caring of the board, to allow them to work uninterrupted through the duration of their life.

What is Corrosion?

Corrosion is the common name for the oxidation of metals and occurs when oxygen bonds with a metal. In the case of printed circuit boards with copper traces, corrosion result in the creation of copper oxide, which is a non-conductor of electricity. As the copper oxide flakes off, the copper track loses its volume, and its resistance increases which can cause performance issues.

Thin layers of tin, nickel, copper, and lead, all of which are present on the PCB surface, can be susceptible to corrosion. On the other hand, some alloys of copper, silver, gold, and graphite can resist corrosion indefinitely. Therefore, PCB manufacturers frequently cover the base metals like copper on the PCB with noble metals like gold to prevent corrosion. Circuit boards are highly susceptible to corrosion as they contain a high amount of copper in each layer. There are different types of corrosion and understanding their nature helps in the diagnosis and prevention.

Forms of Corrosion

General Corrosion

This is the most common form of corrosion, and is also known as uniform attack corrosion or atmospheric corrosion. A chemical reaction between the copper on the PCB and moisture/oxygen present in the atmosphere causes this type of corrosion. Because of the reaction, copper turns into copper oxide with low electrical conductivity. The increase in resistance can cause issues in circuit boards, as it prevents free flow of electrical current. Although the mechanical properties of the copper traces remain intact, there is a change in color. This makes it easy to diagnose and prevent.

Sulfur present in the atmosphere can also cause corrosion in the presence of moisture. It reacts with the copper on the board to form copper sulfate, a greenish corrosive powdery substance. Copper sulfate is non-conductive, and the process gradually erodes the copper, until there is a discontinuity in the copper track.

Salt and moisture present in the atmosphere, especially in areas near seas, can also cause corrosion by forming a compound with copper in the track and iron/tin in the leads of components. The corrosion erodes the metal, causing an electrical discontinuity.

Localized Corrosion

As the name suggests, this type of corrosion limits itself to a small area on the board. However, localized corrosion may be of three types:

Pitting Corrosion - Visible as holes or cavities in the copper surface, localized galvanic corrosion leads to deterioration of the conducting surface. As the pit diameter and depth increase, the process ultimately leads to failure, such as discontinuity. Compounds that produce the pitting corrosion, often hide the damage, making it difficult to detect.

Crevice Corrosion - Crevices under components or other hardware can collect left-over matter like flux, or other contaminants like cleaning solution. Nearby copper reacts with these materials and the corrosion starts in the cervices.

Filliform Corrosion - Although a surface finish usually protects copper pads, moisture can enter under such surface finish. Reacting with the copper, the moisture starts the corrosion process, which then has the potential to spread along the trace to other parts of the board.

Galvanic Corrosion

Also known as bimetallic corrosion, galvanic corrosion occurs due to the presence of two dissimilar metals. Galvanic corrosion frequently happens between copper on the board surface and the metal of a component, a gold or tin plating, in the presence of a corrosive electrolyte. Although similar in nature to pitting corrosion, the difference is galvanic corrosion occurs between electrochemically dissimilar metals in electrical contact, with both metals in contact with the electrolyte.

Dendrite Formation

In the presence of ionic contamination on the surface of a PCB and moisture, copper traces can grow dendrites. In neighboring traces, these dendrite growths can cause a short circuit, leading to a failure in PCB functioning.

Inter-Granular Corrosion

Chemical presence on the grain boundary of copper traces can cause inter-granular corrosion. This is because grain-boundaries often have high impurities and, therefore, are susceptible to this type of corrosion.

Preventing PCB Corrosion

The above discussion makes it clear that corrosion happens primarily in the presence of moisture and electrolytic contaminants present on the surface of a printed circuit board. This is especially true for circuit boards in extreme atmospheric conditions, such as in marine areas or aerospace. In such environments, PCBs become highly susceptible to different types of corrosion.

Taking a few steps to ensure prevention of corrosion:

Manufacturers, consumers, and OEMs can adequately clean PCB assemblies and ensure they have removed all contaminants such as flux residue.

Ensure that PCB assemblies remain adequately dry
Ensure there are no electrolytes present on the PCB assembly
Using conformal coating on the PCB assembly to exclude the ingress of moisture or electrolytes.
The main aim when trying to avoid PCB corrosion must be to prevent moisture or other liquids from contacting the surface of the circuit board. One of the surest methods is to place the PCB assembly within an enclosure that has a suitable IP rating.

However, this may not be possible always. Therefore, another method of protecting the circuit board from coming in contact with moisture or other liquids is to enclose it in some form of protective coating. This is usually known as conformal coating. There are various forms of conformal coating, with solder mask being the simplest form. Other forms may be aerosol coatings and epoxy coatings. However, engineers must use the conformal coatings judiciously, as there can be a concern of thermal management.

Repairing Corroded Boards

Successful repair of boards attacked by corrosion, to a large extent, depends on the degree of damage done. The damage becomes visible after cleaning away the oxide or sulfate formation. It is necessary to remove these chemicals thoroughly to prevent recurrence. It is advisable to use lint-free cloth dipped in isopropyl alcohol to clean the board surface. In the absence of isopropyl alcohol, it is also possible to use vinegar or baking soda and water.

Conclusion

To prevent corrosion, suggests designers make their PCB suitable for the specific environment in which the boards will be performing. We have more than two decades of experience in manufacturing and assembling all types of PCBs for various applications in all types of environments.