Pulsed Atmospheric Pressure Plasma System Applied to PCBs Surface Treatment

Since a pulsed atmospheric pressure plasma system (PAPPS) could be applied to surface modification for products with complex geometry in a lack of vacuum environment, it definitely saves a lot of operation cost. The PAPPS has unique features in lower surface charge accumulation and higher processing repeatability due to pulsed parameter adjustment from clever tuning technique in manufacturing recipes, which consisted of an adapted DC power supply, a pulsed high-voltage controller, and a high-frequency pulsed transformer. Based on 2 kW maximum output power and limited working voltage at 20 kV with a bipolar pulsed output mode, through communication interface, the PC remote control system was built for setting the pulsed parameters and for monitoring the variation of electrical power outputs. This low-temperature plasma jet would be employed as the tool for PCB surface cleaning and activating at an atmospheric chamber. Experimental results have demonstrated that the PAPPS is able to offer a stable plasma jet while a tunable DC power source, pulsed parameters and air pressures. After plasma surface treatment, the hydrophilic feature of the printing circuit board (PCB) has been enhanced that meaning of adherent substance ability on PCB surface is improved for component welding and in yield rate.