Patent · US Expired

Non-cyanide electrode cleaning process

US4968397A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
1References
19Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 27, 1989
Grant dateNov 6, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 27, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01L2224/85011
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An electrolytic process employing a water solution of metal lactates or lactic acid and metal hydroxides, rapidly and safely removes metal plating bleed, residual oxides or the like (stains), plastic flash, resin bleed and deflashing media, from electrodes of electronic devices. Anodic etching or a combination of cathodic and anodic etching is preferred. Noble metals are selectively removed without cyanide compounds. For example, excess silver from spot plating on copper leadframes is etched away 2-3 times faster than the underlying copper. After cleaning the device leads are bright, polished, stain-free and without scale, residual plating bleed, deflashing media, plastic flash or resin bleed. The process is effective, less hazardous, easy to use and economical.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.