Metal Plating Composition for Uniform Hole Filling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Metal plating processes face challenges in achieving uniform metal distribution, particularly in small-diameter holes of printed wiring boards, leading to potential mechanical and thermal failures due to insufficient metal layer thickness, which affects the reliability of electronic components.

Innovation Solution

The use of specific water-soluble compounds with a general formula H-A′p-Q-[C(O)—CH2O—((R1CH)t—O)z—CH2—C(O)—NH-A]u-H, which are added to metal plating compositions to improve leveling and throwing power, ensuring uniform metal deposition across substrates, including through-holes and vias.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional plating formulations are used, then plating process is simple, but metal layer thickness is non-uniform particularly in small-diameter holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal layer thickness uniformityVSAvoidplating formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a specific polyamidoamine compound with defined molecular structure (formula I) and controlled molecular weight (500-15,000) to the plating formulation. This compound contains specific functional groups (amide, amine, ether) in defined ratios that change the chemical parameters of the plating bath, enabling uniform metal deposition in small-diameter holes while maintaining formulation manageability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite approach by combining the polyamidoamine compound (formed from condensation of polyethylene glycol and diamine) with traditional plating additives including brighteners, suppressors, and levelers. This composite formulation integrates multiple functional components that work synergistically to achieve uniform plating in through-holes while maintaining overall process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If metal layer thickness is reduced to accommodate small holes, then plating uniformity improves, but mechanical strength and thermal reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal plating uniformityVSAvoidthermal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using the polyamidoamine compound to create different plating characteristics in different regions of the substrate. The compound's molecular structure enables preferential metal deposition in small-diameter holes and via structures while maintaining appropriate thickness on flat surfaces, thus achieving both uniformity and sufficient thickness for thermal reliability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If throwing power is increased to improve hole filling, then metal distribution uniformity improves, but plating composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal distribution uniformityVSAvoidplating composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the polyamidoamine compound as an intermediary substance that mediates between the metal ions in solution and the substrate surface. This compound acts as a bridging agent that facilitates uniform metal distribution in small holes without requiring complex multi-component formulations, thus improving throwing power while keeping the composition relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

These compounds enhance the uniformity and thickness of metal layers in small-diameter holes, improving the thermal reliability and performance of electronic components by increasing the throwing power of the metal plating process.

Implementation Method 1

metal plating compositions and methods which provide improved leveling and throwing power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroplating: Electroplating

Implementation Method 2

ensuring uniform metal deposition across substrates, including through-holes and vias

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8012334B2Metal plating compositions and methods
Publication Date: 2011.09.06 DUPONT ELECTRONIC MATERIALS INT LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are metal plating compositions and methods. The metal plating compositions provide good leveling performance and throwing power.