Enthone
Microelectronics Materials

Enthone® microelectronics materials for wafer bump plating, leadframes, connectors and passive components include:

  • High performance alloys for wafer bump plating, including gold, copper, lead-free alloys and low alpha lead-based alloys
  • Base and precious metal alloys for lead metallization that address tin whisker formation, solderability failures and other reliability problems.

Backed by global applications expertise, leading OEMs worldwide depend on Enthone microelectronic materials to enhance appearance and electronic performance.

Please select a Trade Name, Application, or Process from the above menus to view product details within the Microelectronics Materials section of the Enthone web site.

Process
Wafers
Copper Damascene
Wafer Bump Plating
IC Leadframes - Electroplating
Nickel
Silver
Palladium
Pure Tin
Tin-Lead
Connectors - Electroplating
Gold
Palladium
Palladium Cobalt
Palladium Nickel
Pure Tin
Tin-Lead
Lead-free Systems
Nickel
Pure Tin
Passive Components
EMI Plated Shielding
Double-Sided Plating Coverage
Selective Plating Process
Memory Disk Plating
Pretreatment
Electroless Nickel

Wafers


Copper Damascene
Product Features/Benefits
Enthone ViaForm® copper damascene electrochemical deposition processes for wafer fabrication provide superior filling performance. The latest generation is designed to master the complex process requirements of sub-90 nanometer interconnects, with extendibility to 65 nanometer nodes. Unique characteristics of the process chemistry include...
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Wafer Bump Plating
Product Features/Benefits
Gold

MICROFAB® and NEUTRONEX® cyanide-free gold electroplating processes are specially formulated to produce gold deposits for circuit patterns and bumps on semiconductor wafers. Benefits include:

  • Fine-grained, high purity deposits
  • Excellent thickness distribution
  • Consistent electrical properties/bondability
  • Extended process life
  • Compatibility with resist processes

The 99.99% pure gold processes meet the requirements of MIL-G-45204B, Amendment 2, Type I, Grade A and Type III. The processes may be used with all types of manual and automated plating equipment.

Process can operate over a broader range of current densities with good thermal stability.
Recommended for copper or gold seed layered substrates.
Recommended for Germanium oxide substrates.
Tin-Lead/Tin Alloy/Pure Tin

MICROFAB® high purity tin, tin-silver and tin-lead processes produce fine-grained, matte to semi-bright deposits. They are specially formulated for the fabrication of circuit patterns and bumps on semiconductor wafers. MICROFAB processes contain no fluoborates or formaldehyde and include the following:

  • Single additive, multi alloy processes
  • Consistent alloy composition
  • Uniform thickness
  • Low alpha lead recycling

The processes may be used with all types of manual and automated plating equipment.

Low alpha lead-tin plating process produces pure lead or lead-rich tin-lead deposits. MSA-based.
Lead-free, pure tin plating process may be used with soluble or insoluble anodes. MSA-based.
Lead-free, pure tin plating process may be used with soluble anodes. Ideally suited for use with fountain or cup type, automatic bump plating equipment and with paddle type cells. Sulfate-based.
Tin-silver system enables lead-free flip chip wafer bumping. Formulated to plate at high deposition rates while maintaining very tight bump height uniformity both “within the die” as well as “within the wafer,” the process provides a lead-free alternative to eutectic tin-lead bumping when plated at the ratio of 97.5Sn/2.5Ag.
Copper
High speed, MSA-based wafer bump plating process utilizes a single additive. The low maintenance system delivers the same unique features and benefits as MICROFAB SnAg 600.
High purity copper process produces fine-grained matte deposits. High-build bumps may be produced on fine semiconductor wafers for superior bump and circuit line performance. Designed for use with insoluble anodes, the process yields excellent thickness distribution over the entire wafer surface for consistent electrical properties and bondability.
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IC Leadframes - Electroplating


Nickel
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Semi-Bright
High
Nickel sulfamate process delivers a semi-bright, low stress deposit. The process is used with soluble anodes and sulfamate chemistry in an air agitated plating cell. The deposit is slightly tensile stressed and ductile. The replenisher component is extremely stable and provides for precise control of the electrolyte for consistent deposit performance. LECTRO-NIC deposits conform to Military Plating Specification QQ-N-290, Class 2, Amendment 1.
Semi-Bright
High
The nickel sulfamate process is specially formulated to prevent discoloration of STANNOSTAR pure tin during heat-up and reflow operations while maintaining exceptional solderability. Hinders whiskers growth caused by diffusion as stress initiator. Superior operating flexibility delivers a robust performance. May be used for high speed deposition including reel-to-reel.
Matte
High
Provides a soft, ductile nickel underlayer for subsequent processing with a noble metal top layer finish. Multi-layer finish delivers high solderability and wire bondability to meet MIL-STD-883C, Methods 2003.5 and 2022.2. Chemistry is easy to use, control and maintain.
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Silver
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Bright
High

Medium

Low
Silver plating process produces silver deposits of 99.9% purity. The process produces a fine grained deposit over a wide range of current densities. SILVREX JS-5 is designed to operate in manual and automatic selective spot plating equipment as well as selective reel-to-reel equipment.
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Palladium
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Bright
High
Designed for the deposition of pure palladium on leadframes and other semiconductor devices. Produces bright, ductile, deposits exhibiting the properties required for exceptional solderability and wirebonding performance after thermal or steam aging. This makes it an excellent choice of finishes for high reliability device fabrication. The solution is capable of producing rapid plating rates due to its high efficiency and is easily maintained with standard analytical techniques.
Bright
High

Low
Designed for the deposition of pure palladium on electronic components using high speed (HS) or low speed (LS) plating techniques. Produces bright, ductile, deposits exhibiting the properties required for exceptional contact stability. The solution is capable of producing very high plating rates and is easily maintained with standard techniques. The PALLADEX PdM2 process can be operated at neutral pH values, and is less corrosive than traditional processes. The process allows for lower ammonia usage resulting in reduced odor.
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Pure Tin
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Matte
High

Medium
Designed for the deposition of reflowable, pure tin in medium and high speed plating equipment for the plating of terminals, solid stock and wire. The additive system is specifically designed to produce pure tin deposits with minimum organic inclusions exhibiting excellent covering power, high degree of ductility and good solderability over wide temperature and current density ranges. Deposits have a consistent and stable surface morphology and are suitable as a “low whisker” lead-free alternative finish. Meets the requirements of MIL-STD-202F, Test Method 208F, J-STD-002 and J-STD-003.
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Tin-Lead
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Matte
Low
Fluoborate-free, low foaming, formaldehyde-free tin-lead plating system especially formulated to produce matte to semi bright tin and tin-lead deposits for rack and barrel plating conditions. Typical solutions include 60/40, 90/10 and 98/2 tin-lead alloys and pure tin. The solutions can be operated over a wide range of operating parameters including current density and agitation, while maintaining constant deposit properties. When neutralizing the rinse water the tin and lead salts will precipitate completely, an important improvement over fluoborate systems. Process plates consistently uniform solder alloy compositions.
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Connectors - Electroplating


Gold
Product Type Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Bright
Medium

Low
Acid, nickel-hardened and cobalt-hardened gold electroplating processes contain a stable and analyzable electrolyte for producing deposits with consistent physical and functional properties. Deposits are fully bright and exhibit excellent resistance to wear and corrosion. The process provides uniform gold thickness distribution and is recommended for plating connectors, contacts, switches and other electronic devices. The processes may be used for barrel operations. Meets the requirement of Military Plating Specification MIL-G-45204C, Amendment 2, Types I and II, Grade C.
Bright
High
High efficiency, cobalt hardened acid gold process is capable of depositing gold at exceptionally high rates with excellent distribution. The process is ideally suited for all types of plating where increased deposition rates are required. Produces coatings with outstanding wear resistance. Meets MIL-G-45204C, Type 1, Grade C.
Bright
Medium
Bright gold process delivers excellent distribution at high current densities with a low gold concentration. Suitable for reel-to-reel, rack, barrel and vibratory plating. Produces coatings with outstanding wear resistance. Meets MIL-G-45204C, Type 1, Grade C.
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Palladium
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Bright
High

Low
Designed for the deposition of pure palladium on electronic components using high speed (HS) or low speed (LS) plating techniques. Produces bright, ductile, deposits exhibiting the properties required for exceptional contact stability. The solution is capable of producing very high plating rates and is easily maintained with standard techniques. The PALLADEX PdM2 process can be operated at neutral pH values, and is less corrosive than traditional processes. The process allows for lower ammonia usage resulting in reduced odor.
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Palladium Cobalt
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Bright
Low
Drop-in replacement for hard gold reduces precious metal consumption by up to 60%. Accurate determination of the plated thickness is easy to control as the cobalt alloy does not interfere with the nickel signal during XRF thickness readings. The deposit exhibits excellent contact, wear and corrosion resistance. Ideal for rack and barrel processes, the lead-free material provides 100% whisker-free surfaces.
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Palladium Nickel
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Bright
High
Drop-in replacement for hard gold delivers a thin, uniform deposit density that reduces precious metal consumption by up to 60%. The bright, ductile deposit exhibits excellent contact, wear and corrosion resistance. The lead-free material provides 100% whisker-free surfaces.
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Pure Tin
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Bright
High
Additive system is specifically designed to produce deposits with minimum organic inclusions exhibiting excellent brightness and solderability over a wide range of solution temperatures. Deposits have a consistent and stable surface morphology and are suitable as a “low whisker” lead-free alternative finish. Exceeds the requirements of MIL-STD-202F, Test Method 208F and MIL-STD-883C, Test Method 2003.
Bright
Low
Specially designed for rack and barrel plating systems, the process may be used for a diversity of applications, including electronic housings and connectors. Maintains consistent and reliable deposit properties under a wide range of operating parameters. Parts processed exhibit exceptional solderability with a bright, uniform appearance. Since the electrolyte used in the STANNOSTAR GSB 3 is sulfuric acid rather than MSA, the process has a very low cost of ownership.
Matte
High

Medium
Designed for the deposition of reflowable, pure tin in medium and high speed plating equipment for the plating of terminals, solid stock and wire. The additive system is specifically designed to produce pure tin deposits with minimum organic inclusions exhibiting excellent covering power, high degree of ductility and good solderability over wide temperature and current density ranges. Deposits have a consistent and stable surface morphology and are suitable as a “low whisker” lead-free alternative finish. Meets the requirements of MIL-STD-202F, Test Method 208F, J-STD-002 and J-STD-003.
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Tin-Lead
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Bright
Low
Fluoborate-free, low foaming, formaldehyde-free tin-lead plating system especially formulated to produce bright tin and tin-lead deposits for rack and barrel plating conditions. Typical solutions include 60/40, 90/10 and 98/2 tin-lead alloys and pure tin. The solutions can be operated over a wide range of operating parameters including current density and agitation, while maintaining constant deposit properties. When neutralizing the rinse water the tin and lead salts will precipitate completely, an important improvement over fluoborate systems. Process plates consistently uniform and bright solder alloy compositions that eliminate uneven, "blotchy" areas. The deposits have excellent solderability that meet MIL-STD-202.
Matte
Low
Fluoborate-free, low foaming, formaldehyde-free tin-lead plating system especially formulated to produce matte to semi bright tin and tin-lead deposits for rack and barrel plating conditions. Typical solutions include 60/40, 90/10 and 98/2 tin-lead alloys and pure tin. The solutions can be operated over a wide range of operating parameters including current density and agitation, while maintaining constant deposit properties. When neutralizing the rinse water the tin and lead salts will precipitate completely, an important improvement over fluoborate systems. Process plates consistently uniform solder alloy compositions.
Bright
High

Medium
Formulated for medium and high speed plating conditions, the tin-lead system delivers the same superior results and exceeds the same MIL requirements as STANNOSTAR GMB.
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Lead-free Systems


Nickel
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Semi-Bright
High
The nickel sulfamate process is specially formulated to prevent discoloration of STANNOSTAR pure tin during heat-up and reflow operations while maintaining exceptional solderability. Hinders whiskers growth caused by diffusion as stress initiator. Superior operating flexibility delivers a robust performance. May be used for high speed deposition including reel-to-reel.
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Pure Tin
Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Bright
High
Additive system is specifically designed to produce deposits with minimum organic inclusions exhibiting excellent brightness and solderability over a wide range of solution temperatures. Deposits have a consistent and stable surface morphology and are suitable as a “low whisker” lead-free alternative finish. Exceeds the requirements of MIL-STD-202F, Test Method 208F and MIL-STD-883C, Test Method 2003.
Bright
Low
Specially designed for rack and barrel plating systems, the process may be used for a diversity of applications, including electronic housings and connectors. Maintains consistent and reliable deposit properties under a wide range of operating parameters. Parts processed exhibit exceptional solderability with a bright, uniform appearance. Since the electrolyte used in the STANNOSTAR GSB 3 is sulfuric acid rather than MSA, the process has a very low cost of ownership.
Matte
High

Medium
Designed for the deposition of reflowable, pure tin in medium and high speed plating equipment for the plating of terminals, solid stock and wire. The additive system is specifically designed to produce pure tin deposits with minimum organic inclusions exhibiting excellent covering power, high degree of ductility and good solderability over wide temperature and current density ranges. Deposits have a consistent and stable surface morphology and are suitable as a “low whisker” lead-free alternative finish. Meets the requirements of MIL-STD-202F, Test Method 208F, J-STD-002 and J-STD-003.
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Passive Components


Product Finish Speed Features/Benefits
Matte
Low
Non-fluoborate electrolyte especially designed for MLCC and Chip Resistor plating in barrel and/or RFT plating applications. Electrolyte delivers matte, pure tin deposits with excellent metal distribution and solderability. Especially formulated to avoid “coupling” effects.
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EMI Plated Shielding


Double-Sided Plating Coverage
Product Features/Benefits
The ENSHIELD process produces a uniform metal film over the entire plastic part. The process involves a series of sequential steps designed to accomplish three primary objectives. First, is the development of adhesion or bonding sites on the surface of the plastic. Second, a sequence of steps is employed to convert the plastic surface to one that is catalytic to the plating process. This catalyzation of the plastic produces a surface that is autocatalytic to electroless plating. This is normally accomplished with a tin-palladium catalyst. Finally, parts enter the electroless copper process for the development of the conductive layer. The actual plated thickness is often determined by the conductivity specification, either point-to-point or ohms/square, which is imposed by the OEM. Once the required copper thickness is achieved, the copper is initiated to facilitate electroless nickel plating. The thickness of the nickel film is normally within 10-25µin, which is adequate to provide corrosion and abrasion protection to the underlying copper in most applications...
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Selective Plating Process
Product Features/Benefits
The ENSHIELD PLUS process is designed to provide selective electroless plating onto a wide variety of plastic parts. It is often used for in-color molded plastic parts, to avoid the need for final finishing. The ENSHIELD PLUS process utilizes a catalytic, base coating as the primary mechanism for achieving adhesion to the plastic part and for producing a surface that is autocatalytic to the electroless plating process. This process is also employed for a variety of applications where metallization is required only on specific areas of a part or component...
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Memory Disk Plating


Pretreatment
Product Cycle Features/Benefits
Acid Etch
Specially filtered (0.45 mµ nominal), acidic liquid concentrate is chelate-free and is especially effective on difficult-to-plate alloys, particularly those rich in magnesium, (e.g. 5086, 5052 alloys) and for applications where minimal dimensional changes and maximum reflectivity is required. ACTANE 4322S (QA) is ideal for high-finish aluminum surfaces because it does not appreciably change the appearance and finish of polished aluminum. Because ACTANE 4322S (QA) is chelate-free, it minimizes the possibility of cross contamination of other solutions due to drag-in.
1st Zincate
Micron filtered (0.45 mµ nominal) cyanide-free zincate process that is less aggressive to aluminum substrates than conventional zincates. Alumon 5825 (QA) minimizes etching of the aluminum substrate while applying a very thin, uniform, fine grain zinc film.
Soak Clean
High detergent, alkaline, non-silicated, very-low-etch clear soak cleaner. ENPREP 8744 (QA) is provided as a single-component liquid material. It is ideally suited for moderate to heavy-duty cleaning of aluminum rigid memory disks. ENPREP 8744 (QA) is Quality Assured Grade and specially filtered (0.45 mµ nominal).
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Electroless Nickel
Product Features/Benefits
Provides uniform initiation, excellent stability and a consistent plating rate. Deposits produced from ENPLATE NI-1450 (QA) operating solutions exhibit superior smoothness with minimal nodulation. Plating thicknesses can be reduced and polishing times minimized. The ENPLATE NI-1450 (QA) deposit is paramagnetic as plated and remains essentially paramagnetic after heat treating at 315 °C for ten minutes. ENPLATE NI-1450 (QA) is engineered to accommodate the most stringent performance requirements.
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