How to select the correct solder mask for your PCB?

Seen a solder mask on the PCB? Well, you must have seen it a couple of times without realising that it is a solder mask that you are looking at. The top green colour layer on the PCB is the solder mask which helps in preventing visual fatigue while assembling, providing considerable aid during the inspection and delivers protective cover for the conductors. To protect the metal elements on the circuit board from oxidation, a solder mask or solder stop mask is one of the crucial steps in the PCB process. The solder mask is also called solder resist since it gives you some amount of control over where the solder bits will land on the board. While selecting the correct solder mask for your PCB you need to consider your assembly process. Thus, the different categories of solder masks are:

Liquid epoxy solder mask: This is the most cost-effective and easy solder mask option available in which a woven mesh is used to provide the support needed for ink-blocking patterns. The thermosetting polymer in this case is the epoxy liquid that hardens during the thermal curing phase. The solder mask dye mixes with the liquid epoxy and gives the desired colour.

Liquid photo-imageable solder mask: Photolithography is used in fancy solder masks. During this process, a photolithography mask that is in tandem with the solder mask you desire is made from Gerber files. The panellised board is then properly cleaned so that there are no dust particles trapped under the solder resist. Liquid LPSM covers the panels completely and once this happens, the boards are put for drying in the oven and carefully placed in the UV developer. A photolithography mask is put over the dried board and UV light illuminates the board. The areas exposed with LPSM material are automatically cured by UV light, while the remaining areas are washed with a solvent which then creates a hard layer of solder resist.

Dry film solder mask: In this, the vacuum lamination process is used for applying the dry film in the form of sheets of solder mask. This process helps to bring the unexposed parts under the loop and no bubbles remain once the film gets adhered to the board.

Ideally, the thickness of the solder mask depends on the thickness of the copper traces on the board and 0.5mm solder masks are preferable for masking all kinds of traces. For more information, visit www.agasem.com.


Location: United Kingdom

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