Potassium organic acid raw materials for electronic component manufacturing

Potassium acetate and potassium formate are available for evaluation by electronics manufacturers for usage in certain aqueous process formulations. Electronic parts are very sensitive to soluble ionic residues, and the applicability of these materials for cleaning or surface treatment applications should be assessed on the basis of real processing circumstances and reliability testing.

Assessment status of potassium acetate

Small-scale testing of potassium acetate as a salt or pH-adjusting component in water-based formulations is possible. No anti-corrosion passivation layer is formed on copper, tin, or PCB surfaces. The efficacy relies on the materials and formulae used and must be assessed.

Evaluation status of potassium formate

However, potassium formate shouldn't be used directly as a protective layer on finished PCBs or sockets. It should only be used in certain formulas. If it is going to be used to treat metal surfaces, it needs to be tested for its electrical conductivity, compatibility with the material, and the amount of ionic impurities that are left over after cleaning.

Validation items

The first step is to generate test coupons for testing of corrosion, salt spray, surface insulation resistance, ionic contamination, damp-heat ageing and coating compatibility. In the whole production process, the residual and electrical qualities of high-purity raw materials must be checked.

Material Selection Boundaries

Design choices for structure, cleaning, covering, and sealing are what protect parts from wetness and rust over time. Potassium organic acid raw materials can only be used in approved formulations. They can't be used instead of conformal coatings or testing the reliability of the finished product.