MacuSpec DC 100
Acid Copper Plating Process
Product Code: 172484
DESCRIPTION: MacuSpec DC 100 Acid Copper plating process has been formulated specifically for use
in direct current plating. The process has a wide operating window and produces a
smooth, fine grained, ductile deposit with excellent distribution characteristics.
ELECTROLYTIC
MAKE-UP:
Per 100 gallon Per 100 liters
Electronic Grade Copper Sulfate
(CuSO4o 5H2O) 62.5 lbs 7.5 kg
or
MacDermid PC Liquid Copper 27.8 gal 27.8 liters
Sulfate (Code 330830) containing 270 g/L
Sulfuric Acid (66°Be) Electronic Grade 12 gal 12 liters
MacuSpec DC 100 Make-up 1.3 gal 1.3 liter
MacuSpec DC 100 Brightener 0.1 gal 0.1 liter
ELECTROLYTIC
COMPOSITION:
Range Optimum
Copper Sulfate (CuSO4 . 5H2O) 65 - 85 g/L 75 g/L
Free Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) 190 - 220 g/L 210 g/L
Chloride Ion (Cl
-
) 60 - 90 ppm 80
MAKE-UP
PROCEDURE:
Note: Before bath make-up, the tank must be leached with 10% sulfuric acid for
8 hours. After 8 hours leaching, dump acid and rinse the tank well with D.I. water.
Note: The anodes should be cleaned and deskinned in microetch prior to placing into
the MacuSpec DC 100 Acid Copper bath.
1. Add the required amount of D.I. water to the plating tank.
(Note: If using acid copper starter solution, add the required amount of acid copper
starter solution to the plating tank, and go to Step 4.)
2. Using constant air agitation, add the required amount of electronic grade copper
sulfate crystals. Mix thoroughly until completely dissolved. If using purified liquid
copper sulfate, add the required amount to the plating tank, and mix thoroughly.
3. Slowly add the required amount of concentrated electronic grade 66°Be sulfuric acid.
(Caution: Heat is generated by exothermic reaction.)
4. Adjust temperature to the proper range.
5. Add D.I. water to fill the tank to operating volume.
6. Analyze for the copper, sulfuric acid, and chloride content and adjust to desired
range.
Refer to Technical Bulletin No. 001 Chemical Analysis of MacDermid Acid
Copper Plating Solutions.
7. Add MacuSpec DC 100 Make-up at 1.3% by volume and MacuSpec DC 100
Brightener at 0.1% by volume.
8. Electrolyze bath to achieve a minimum of 5 Ah/L (19 Ah/gal) of dummy plating.
9. Run CVS to determine if additional MacuSpec DC 100 Wetter or MacuSpec DC 100
Brightener is required.
10. Start production plating.
OPERATING
CONDITIONS: Range Optimum
Cathode Current Density 1.5-4.0 ASD 3.0 ASD
(15 - 50 ASF) (35 ASF)
Anode Current Density 0.5 - 2.5 ASD 1.5 ASD
(5 - 25 ASF) (15 ASF)
Temperature 24 - 28oC 26 oC
(75 -82oF) (78oF)
MacuSpec DC 100 Wetter 10.0 - 20.0 mL/L 13.0 mL/L
MacuSpec DC 100 Brightener 0.5 - 1.0 mL/L 0.75 mL/L
IMPORTANT: In warm climate areas a chiller must be used to keep the solution
temperature from exceeding 28oC (82oF). Increasing the temperature does allow for
higher current density but will result in increase additive consumption.
FUNCTION OF
BATH
CONSTITUENTS:
MacuSpec DC 100 Wetter is responsible for the wetting action and works in conjunction
with the MacuSpec DC 100 Brightener.
The consumption rate is 200 mL - 400 mL/1000 Ah.
MacuSpec DC 100 Brightener controls grain refining of the deposit. A low
concentration will cause burning in the high current density areas.
The consumption rate is 100 mL - 300 mL/1000 Ah.
The consumption rates of the MacuSpec DC 100 Wetter and MacuSpec DC 100
Brightener and can be high on a new bath make up. Adjust dosing rates based on CVS
analysis.
MacuSpec DC 100 Make-up is responsible for the wetting action and works in
conjunction with the MacuSpec DC 100 Brightener . The MacuSpec DC 100 Make-up is
formulated to ensure a smooth bath startup. MacuSpec DC 100 Make-up is used only
for starting up new or carbon treated baths.
ADDITIVE
CONTROL:
The bath should be up to standard conditions, as found in the Electrolyte Composition
section, (see page 1), before any attempt is made to correct plating difficulties. This
automatically eliminates possible causes of trouble and makes a diagnosis much easier.
Optimum additive levels in the MacuSpec DC 100 Acid Copper Process can be
maintained by means of CVS instrumentation.
TROUBLE
SHOOTING:
I. Anodes – The anode film should be uniform black on the side of the anode that faces
the work. The backsides of the anodes are usually light black to dark gray.
Anode Film Appearance
Problem Cause
Gray - White Chloride ion content too high in solution
Low solution temperature
Red Low or no phosphorus in anodes
Brown Low copper metal or high sulfuric acid
Low solution temperature
High anode current density or low anode area
High additive concentration
II. Deposit Appearance
Problem Cause
Striations and/or step plate Low chloride ion
Organic contamination
Burning in high current density Low MacuSpec DC 100 Brightener
regions Excessive forward or reverse current density
Low solution temperature
Low copper metal
Excessive tank vo