Jan 16, 2014 
The increased challenge of miniaturization with increased functionality within the PCB industry leads to the constant need for new technologies for high volume manufacturing. As line and space features decrease, requirements on the photoresist as well as its pre-treatment steps increase.
CupraEtch™ DT25, Atotech’s new photoresist adhesion process, is a very suitable pre-treatment for dry film and liquid photoresist. It features tracer elements for an optimized process control and is ideal for high volume manufacturing.
“CupraEtch™ DT25 is a simple two- to three-step, low temperature micro-etching process that creates a high level of uniform roughness. It is ideally suited to horizontal processing,” explains Dr. Rami Haidar, Global Product Manager Surface Treatment Technology (STT), at Atotech Deutschland GmbH in Berlin, Germany. “As a cost - efficient chemistry with considerable yield improvements it provides our customers with significant economic benefits on a daily basis.”
Besides a high copper loading capacity of up to 40 g/L, it only requires a minimal etch depth of 0.5 to 1.0 microns. The robust process further features a wide chloride operating window and tolerance (up to 20 ppm), making it an easy to control and stable process.
Extensive alpha and beta site tests have shown that CupraEtch™ DT25 produces excellent roughness and cosmetic results on different copper types. This leads to improved adhesion of all Dryfilm types and ideal AOI compatibility.
Direct customer experience with CupraEtch™ DT25 has shown:
- A simplified waste treatment, which leads to improved yields for lower production costs
- Significant yield improvements of 7% - 10%
- Ideal suitability for standard line and space requirements
- Ideal for conveyorized applications for thin material handling
- Suitable for both tenting and pattern plating applications
CupraEtch™ DT25 is available worldwide and is already being used by customers around the world.
With annual sales of €885 million, Atotech is one of the world's leading manufacturers of processes and equipment for the printed circuit board, IC-substrate and semiconductor industries (Electronics) as well as the decorative and functional surface finishing industries (General Metal Finishing). Committed to sustainability, Atotech develops technologies that minimize waste and reduce environmental impact. Atotech, a division of the Total Group, is headquartered in Berlin, Germany and employs about 4,000 people in over 40 countries.
