Quantifying Hydrophobic Organosilane Surface Treatment Efficacy in Low Loss Microwave Substrates
Hydrophobic organosilane surface treatments on low-loss microwave substrates suppress moisture-induced Df drift and enable ultra-smooth copper foils.
Surface Energy Quantification
Energy Measurement
Analytical measurements of the excess energy at the boundary of a solid material relative to its bulk determine the bonding potential of a surface. Frequent surface energy quantification allows a manufacturer to predict how well a liquid will wet and adhere to a substrate. This value is derived from the interaction between the solid surface and a set of liquids with known properties.
Wetting Behavior
Fluids spread more easily on surfaces that possess a high energy state. Establishing the surface energy quantification helps in selecting the appropriate cleaning chemistry for a specific production line.
Adhesion
Bonding of inks and conformal coatings is directly tied to the surface energy quantification of the board. If the assessment shows a value lower than the surface tension of the coating, the liquid will bead up and fail to form a continuous film. This condition often results from the presence of mold release agents or silicone contamination.
To correct this, plasma treatment or chemical etching is used to increase the functional groups on the surface. These processes raise the energy level to ensure a strong bond. Verification is performed using contact angle measurements or dyne pens to confirm the surface is ready for the next stage of production.