Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1533339
Feature Article by Happy Holden I-CONNECT007 Not much has been published about pal- ladium as a final finish, but it's experiencing a renaissance as a liquid metal for metalliza- tion of copper in ultra HDI and as a final fin- ish. It was very popular in the 1970s because of its corrosion resistance, as the only other final finishes were tin-lead reflow, Ni/Au, OSP, or immersion tin. Palladium was very popular with the automotive industry then and Photo- circuits of Glen Cove, New York, was a major supplier of boards. Palladium Finish Used in Automotive and Electronics Early in the 2010s, palladium started to reemerge as a final finish. Its advantages were: • Eliminates black pad • A single coating on copper • Excellent silver replacement • Short process time of 15 minutes • Excellent shelf life • Excellent solderability aer multiple reflows • Can be used to replace carbon switches Observations on Palladium as a Final Finish 54 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MARCH 2025