The advantages of mildly alkaline immersion silver as a final finish for solderability

Purpose This study seeks to examine the advantages of mildly alkaline immersion silver as a final finish for solderability in order to combat the shortcomings of acidity in some popular immersion silver solutions. Design/methodology/approach The paper describes in detail the necessary steps in the mildly alkaline immersion silver process. Findings The process can overcome the problems of conventional acidic immersion silvers, especially in thermal shock and stress testing. Also it does not affect soldering or aluminium wire bonding. Originality/value This is arguably a pioneering study in that it posits the benefits of mildly alkaline immersion silver as a final finish for solderability.