Will Direct Plate Methods Replace Electroless Copper PTH Technology?

Industry pressure to find a more environmentally sound replacement for electroless copper technology is resulting in an increasing level of research and development by companies throughout the world. This paper addresses the issues in the Direct Plate versus Electroless Copper debate and discusses the technical challenges and the complex work required to develop and bring to market a viable new plated through‐hole process. The paper refers to Shipley's development of Crimson, a direct plate technology developed in laboratories in the US and England, which will eliminate electroless copper and all complexers from the PTH process.