Tin Stripping in PCB Manufacturing: Everything You Need to Know

Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing involves a range of precise chemical processes to create clean, reliable circuitry. One of the most critical of these is tin stripping — a step that ensures accurate etching and defect-free boards.

In this article, we’ll explain what tin stripping is, how it works, and why it’s so important in PCB production.

What is Tin Stripping?

Tin stripping is a chemical process used to remove tin or tin-lead coatings from a PCB after etching is complete. During earlier stages, tin acts as a protective resist to shield copper tracks while unwanted copper is etched away.

Once etching is done, the tin must be removed to leave behind clean copper circuitry for subsequent finishing processes.

The Tin Stripping Process

The tin stripping process typically involves:

  1. Application of Stripping Solution – A specialised chemical solution is used to dissolve tin or tin-lead coatings.
  2. Controlled Reaction – The chemistry ensures selective removal without damaging the underlying copper.
  3. Rinsing & Neutralisation – Any residues are rinsed off, leaving clean copper surfaces.

Why is Tin Stripping Important?

Tin stripping plays a vital role in maintaining PCB quality and performance:

  • Prevents Contamination – Removes residues that could interfere with soldering or finishing.
  • Improves Surface Finish – Ensures copper pads are ready for plating processes like ENIG or gold.
  • Enhances Reliability – Eliminates defects that could lead to circuit failure.
  • Supports Fine Features – Critical in modern high-density PCBs where precision is essential.

Tin Stripping vs. Etching

While often mentioned together, etching and tin stripping are distinct steps:

Process

Purpose

Outcome

Etching

Removes unwanted copper

Defines circuit pattern

Tin Stripping

Removes protective tin

Prepares copper for finishing

 

Together, they ensure both circuit accuracy and clean surfaces for further processing.

Applications in Electronics

Tin stripping is used in virtually every industry that relies on PCBs, including:

  • Consumer electronics – smartphones, tablets, gaming devices.
  • Medical devices – diagnostic equipment, monitoring systems.
  • Automotive – advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
  • Telecommunications – routers, servers, 5G components.

Conclusion

Tin stripping may seem like a small step, but it’s essential for ensuring clean, reliable, and high-performance PCBs. Without it, defects could compromise the entire circuit board.

Looking for specialist PCB chemicals and processes? Explore A-Gas Electronic Materials for expert solutions. Our team helps you achieve precision, quality, and consistency in PCB manufacturing.


Location: Rugby CV21 1TW, UK

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