ggp-Schaltungen GmbH Receives Approval from Sartorius AG to Supply Enthone OrmeSTAR™ Ultra Nanofinish®
WEST HAVEN, Connecticut, USA, February 23, 2009 --- ggp-Schaltungen GmbH (Osterode/Harz, Germany) has received approval from Sartorius AG (Göttingen, Germany) to supply Enthone OrmeSTAR™ Ultra nanofinish®. OrmeSTAR Ultra was selected as the exclusive final finish to replace electroless nickel / immersion gold (ENIG) on PWBs used in Sartorius’ new generation of laboratory balance equipment.
Specifically, The Institute of Electronics Appliances and Circuits located at Rostock University, under the direction of Professor Dr.-Ing. Mathias Nowotttnick, conducted comprehensive solderability and reliability testing of the OrmeSTAR Ultra nanofinish in partnership with the electronics department at Sartorius. The solderability tests demonstrated that OrmeSTAR Ultra provided significantly faster wetting capability versus electroless nickel / immersion gold (ENIG) process, while maintaining a similar solder spread. Reliability test results revealed that a strong, intermetallic compound is formed between the solder and the pad that is comparable to that of organic solderability preservatives (OSPs).
The circuit boards for the qualification were produced by ggp-Schaltungen. ggp-Schaltungen and Ormecon GmbH, a business of Enthone Inc., have been working together for over a year to achieve OrmeSTAR Ultra nanofinish approvals. According to Andreas Töpperwien, Plant Director for ggp-Schaltungen, “The samples supplied for inspection to a variety of ggp-customers have created a very positive response.”
For over 30 years, ggp- Schaltungen has been continually increasing its market share in the sector for small and medium circuit board batches through an impressive composition of tradition, innovation and precision. The sector for large batches has been covered since the early 90s through Asian trading partners. The approval for OrmeSTAR Ultra is now being introduced to ggp- Schaltungen customers throughout Asia as a viable alternative to ENIG and other metallic finishes.
OrmeSTAR Ultra is an organic metal-based final finish. The revolutionary, patented nanofinish technology consumes approximately 90% less energy and creates less waste versus elelectroless nickel / immersion gold (ENIG) and other traditional metallic final finishes. When compared to ENIG, OrmeSTAR Ultra reduces process time by 75%. The finish costs 30% less then ENIG, with no “black pad” risk. The versatile process delivers a high efficiency in application and operation throughout the entire supply chain. Key advantages of OrmeSTAR Ultra compared to ENIG, OSP and Immersion Tin surfaces include:
- lower process temperatures and therefore less stress for the solder mask surface
- a shelf life of 12 months
- excellent soldering characteristics achieved in both reflow and solder wave processes
Sartorius Electronics is a part of the Sartorius Group. The company manufactures electronic components and devices worldwide. Through its regional and global networks, electronic components are produced under optimal process conditions and cost efficiencies. This is supported through the concept “Design to Cost”. As a result, Sartorius has been delivering its products to a wide range of customers for over a decade.
Ormecon GmbH is a business of Enthone Inc. The company’s Enthone Nano Science Centre (Ammersbek) develops technology that is based on the proprietary and unique “Organic Metal”, with significant market share in PWB surface finishes. The company also possesses a deep portfolio of newly developed technologies in surface treatment and electronic applications.
Enthone Inc. is a business of Cookson Electronics. The company is a leading supplier of high performance specialty chemicals and coatings used in the electronics and surface finishing industries. Enthone manufactures markets and distributes its functional, decorative and electronic processes that are used in printed wiring board, semiconductor, photovoltaic, automotive, aerospace, jewelry, and plumbing applications. For more information, please visit www.enthone.com