What Is Surface Finish? | Sierra Circuits

In circuit board manufacturing, the process of implementing the PCB surface finish is critical in enhancing the reliability and shelf life of the PCBA. We will cover the various types of surface finishes the printed circuit boards are given to enhance good inter-metallic bonding and the shelf-life of the assembly.
Current-day PCB assemblies consist mostly of SMT components where pad flatness is a significant consideration. Such PCBAs use electroless nickel and immersion gold surface finish. Based on the customer applications there are other surface finishes that are also available like soft gold, sterling silver, and OSP finishes. Sierra Circuits can process various types of surface finish according to customers’ needs such as hot air solder leveling (HASL), hot air solder leveling lead-free (HASL lead-free), electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG), and electroless nickel electroless palladium immersion gold (ENEPIG). These different types of surface finishes enhance the shelf life of the board with each surface finish having a different shelf-life.
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