Like you, I do not normally plasma etch for the companies I work for except for more esoteric assemblies that may need to get coated as quickly as possible after die attach and/or wire bond processes. I simply have never had a need to because for "normal" processing of "normal" PWBs standard wash processes provide a clean, dry surface to bond to.

But there have been times that I used plasma to clean and slightly etch the bare boards PRIOR to assembly simply because the buttercoat or soldermask was so glossy that it was difficult to get a good coating bond in spite of "perfect" cleaning processes. But that seldom happens anymore.

I am not aware of plasma being a mainstream process simply because of the cost of gas nowadays. 

-----Original Message-----

From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Douglas Pauls

Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2019 1:42 PM

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: [TN] Plasma before Coating



Good morning all,

Are any of you routinely treating assembly surfaces with plasma prior to

conformal coating?  We do not, except for very niche applications, but I

wanted to see if that was a mainstream process for anyone else.



*Douglas Pauls *| Principal Materials and Process Engr | Advanced

Operations Engineering



*COLLINS AEROSPACE*



400 Collins Road NE, MS 108-101, Cedar Rapids, IA  52498  USA



*Tel:* +1 319 295 2109 | *Mobile: *+1 319 431 3773



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