US20090294296A1 - Method of manufacturing flexible film - Google Patents
Method of manufacturing flexible film Download PDFInfo
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- US20090294296A1 US20090294296A1 US12/357,909 US35790909A US2009294296A1 US 20090294296 A1 US20090294296 A1 US 20090294296A1 US 35790909 A US35790909 A US 35790909A US 2009294296 A1 US2009294296 A1 US 2009294296A1
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- Prior art keywords
- metal layer
- thickness
- hole
- insulating film
- approximately
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
- H05K3/40—Forming printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits
- H05K3/42—Plated through-holes or plated via connections
- H05K3/425—Plated through-holes or plated via connections characterised by the sequence of steps for plating the through-holes or via connections in relation to the conductive pattern
- H05K3/426—Plated through-holes or plated via connections characterised by the sequence of steps for plating the through-holes or via connections in relation to the conductive pattern initial plating of through-holes in substrates without metal
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K1/00—Printed circuits
- H05K1/02—Details
- H05K1/03—Use of materials for the substrate
- H05K1/0393—Flexible materials
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
- H05K2201/03—Conductive materials
- H05K2201/0332—Structure of the conductor
- H05K2201/0335—Layered conductors or foils
- H05K2201/0344—Electroless sublayer, e.g. Ni, Co, Cd or Ag; Transferred electroless sublayer
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
- H05K2201/09—Shape and layout
- H05K2201/09818—Shape or layout details not covered by a single group of H05K2201/09009 - H05K2201/09809
- H05K2201/09827—Tapered, e.g. tapered hole, via or groove
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
- H05K3/10—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern
- H05K3/18—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern using precipitation techniques to apply the conductive material
- H05K3/181—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern using precipitation techniques to apply the conductive material by electroless plating
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
- H05K3/40—Forming printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits
- H05K3/42—Plated through-holes or plated via connections
- H05K3/422—Plated through-holes or plated via connections characterised by electroless plating method; pretreatment therefor
Definitions
- Exemplary embodiments relate to a flexible film, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a flexible film used in various electrical devices.
- a flexible film may be used in various electrical devices.
- the flexible film there are a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and a flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL).
- FPCB flexible printed circuit board
- FCCL flexible copper clad laminate
- a metal layer of the FPCB or the FCCL is manufactured using a sputtering method, a casting method, or a laminating method.
- a sputtering process is performed on a polyimide film to form a metal layer.
- liquid polyimide is coated on a metal thin film, and then a casting process is performed to thereby form a metal layer of the FCCL.
- a laminating method an adhesive is coated on a polyimide film, and a metal thin film is attached to the polyimide film using the laminating method.
- the sputtering method because the surface of the polyimide film is damaged, the smoothness is reduced.
- the casting method kinds of usable polyimide films are limited.
- the laminating method it is not easy to manufacture the FPCB or the FCCL because of a limitation of physical properties of the used adhesive.
- the FPCB or the FCCL with the improved physical properties, such as a peel strength has been recently demanded.
- Exemplary embodiments provide a method of manufacturing a flexible film with excellent stability and reliability.
- a method of manufacturing a flexible film including the step of (a) forming at least one hole on an insulating film, (b) after the step (a), forming a first metal layer on a first surface corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the hole, and at least one of a second surface corresponding to an upper surface of the insulating film and a third surface corresponding to a lower surface of the insulating film, and (c) forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer, wherein a thickness T 1 of the first metal layer is smaller than a thickness T 2 of the second metal layer.
- the first metal layer may be formed using an electroless plating method.
- the first metal layer may include an upper layer formed of copper (Cu) and a lower layer formed of nickel (Ni).
- the second metal layer may be formed using an electrolytic plating method.
- a diameter of the hole may be approximately 30 ⁇ m to 1,000 ⁇ m.
- the hole may be formed using one of a chemical etching method, a drilling method, or a laser processing method.
- the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer may be approximately 0.02 ⁇ m to 0.2 ⁇ m.
- the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer may be approximately 2 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m.
- the method may further comprise, before the step (b), performing a preprocessing on the insulating film
- the first metal layer may be formed of one selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), gold (Au), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni).
- the second metal layer may be formed of gold (Au) or copper (Cu).
- the insulating film may be formed of one selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyimide, liquid crystal polymer, and fluorine resin.
- the first surface may make an acute angle with the second surface.
- the first surface may make a substantially right angle with the second surface.
- the first surface may make an obtuse angle with the second surface.
- a ratio of the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer to the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer may be approximately 1:10 to 1:2,500.
- a ratio of the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer to the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer may be approximately 1:400 to 1:500.
- a sum of the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer and the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer may be substantially equal to or greater than 3/1,000 and less than 1 ⁇ 2 of a diameter of the hole.
- a sum of the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer and the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer may be approximately 1/100 to 1/10 of a diameter of the hole.
- FIG. 1 shows a flexible film according to an exemplary embodiment
- FIGS. 2 to 7 are cross-sectional views taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views of a flexible film according to an exemplary embodiment taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 1 shows a flexible film according to an exemplary embodiment
- FIGS. 2 to 7 are cross-sectional views taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1 .
- a flexible film 100 may include an insulating film 110 including at least one hole 120 .
- the insulating film 110 may include a first surface 111 a corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the hole 120 , a second surface 111 b corresponding to an upper surface of the insulating film 110 , and a third surface 111 c corresponding to a lower surface of the insulating film 110 .
- the flexible film 100 may include a first metal layer 131 and a second metal layer 132 positioned on the first surface 111 a and at least one of the second and third surfaces 111 b and 111 c . In the flexible film 100 , the first metal layer 131 and the second metal layer 132 are positioned on the first, second and third surfaces 111 a , 111 b and 111 c.
- the insulating film 110 may be formed of one selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyimide, liquid crystal polymer, and fluorine resin.
- the insulating film 110 may be preferably formed of polyimide.
- the insulating film 110 may have a thickness of approximately 12 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m and may have flexibility.
- the hole 120 is used to connect the flexible film 100 to electrodes or a circuit patterns of various electrical devices.
- the hole 120 may have a diameter d of approximately 30 ⁇ m to 1,000 ⁇ m.
- the diameter d of the hole 120 may be a distance between points where the first surfaces 111 a meet the second surfaces 111 b.
- the hole 120 may allow the first surface 111 a to make an obtuse angle with the second surface 111 b based on the second surface 111 b .
- the hole 120 is formed by irradiating a laser in a downward manner from the second surface 111 b , the diameter of the hole 120 at an incident location of the laser (i.e., in the second surface 111 b ) is greater than the diameter of the hole 120 at an emission location of the laser (i.e., in the third surface 111 c ). Therefore, the first surface 111 a may make an obtuse angle with the second surface 111 b based on the second surface 111 b.
- the first metal layer 131 and the second metal layer 132 may be formed on the insulating film 110 on which the hole 120 is formed.
- the hole 120 may allow the first surface 111 a to make a substantially right angle with the second surface 111 b .
- a shape of the hole 120 may be determined depending on an irradiation location of the laser.
- the diameter of the hole 120 may be constant. Therefore, the first surface 111 a may make a substantially right angle with the second surface 111 b.
- the first metal layer 131 and the second metal layer 132 may be formed on the insulating film 110 on which the hole 120 is formed.
- the hole 120 may allow the first surface 111 a to make an acute angle with the second surface 111 b based on the second surface 111 b .
- a shape of the hole 120 may be reverse to a shape of the hole 120 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- the first metal layer 131 and the second metal layer 132 may be formed on the insulating film 110 on which the hole 120 is formed.
- the first metal layer 131 may be formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), gold (Au), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) using an electroless plating method.
- the first metal layer 131 may be formed of Ni or Cu with excellent electrical conductivity in consideration of process efficiency.
- the first metal layer 131 may have a single-layered structure formed of one of Ni and Cu or a multi-layered structure formed of Ni and Cu.
- a Ni layer may be formed on the insulating film 110 using the electroless plating method, and then a Cu layer may be formed on the Ni layer using the electroless plating method.
- an electroless plating layer having a two-layered structure may be formed.
- the Ni layer may be a lower layer and the Cu layer may be an upper layer.
- An electroless plating layer having a three-layered structure formed of Ni, Cu and Cu may be formed. Other multi-layered structures may be used.
- the second metal layer 132 may be formed of gold (Au) or copper (Cu) using an electrolytic plating method.
- the second metal layer 132 may be formed of Cu in consideration of manufacturing cost.
- a thickness T 1 of the first metal layer 131 may be smaller than a thickness T 2 of the second metal layer 132 . More specifically, the first metal layer 131 may serve as a metal seed layer used to plate the second metal layer 132 and may be formed using the electroless plating method. Therefore, the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer 131 may be very small and may is approximately 0.02 ⁇ m to 0.2 ⁇ m.
- the second metal layer 132 may be formed on the entire surface of the first metal layer 131 using the electrolytic plating method.
- the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer 132 thicker than the first metal layer 131 may be approximately 2 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m.
- the second metal layer 132 on the first surface 111 a may have a thickness of approximately 2 ⁇ m to 40 ⁇ m, and the second metal layer 132 on the second and third surfaces 111 b and 111 c may have a thickness of approximately 3 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m.
- Table 1 shows a stability and a peel strength of the flexible film 100 depending on a ratio of the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer 131 to the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer 132 .
- X, ⁇ , and ⁇ represent bad, good, and excellent states of the characteristics, respectively.
- the ratio of the thickness T 1 to thickness T 2 may be approximately 1:10 to 1:2,500.
- the electroless plating process for forming the first metal layer 131 may be performed within an appropriate period of time. Therefore, an accessory ingredient contained in a plating solution used in the electroless plating process may not reduce the peel strength of the surface of the first metal layer 131 .
- the ratio of the thickness T 1 to thickness T 2 is equal to or greater than 1/2,500, a formation material of the first metal layer 131 may be prevented from being substituted with tin (Sn) when circuit patterns are formed on the metal layers and a Sn layer is formed on the circuit patterns in a succeeding process.
- a sum of the thicknesses T 1 and T 2 of the first and second metal layers 131 and 132 may be substantially equal to or greater than 3/1,000 and less than 1 ⁇ 2 of the diameter d of the hole 120 .
- Table 2 shows a stability and a peel strength of the flexible film 100 depending on a ratio of the sum (T 1 +T 2 ) of the thicknesses T 1 and T 2 of the first and second metal layers 131 and 132 to the diameter d of the hole 120 .
- X, ⁇ , and ⁇ represent bad, good, and excellent states of the characteristics, respectively.
- the sum (T 1 +T 2 ) of the thicknesses T 1 and T 2 of the first and second metal layers 131 and 132 may be substantially equal to or greater than 3/1,000 and less than 1 ⁇ 2 of the diameter d of the hole 120 .
- the sum (T 1 +T 2 ) of the thicknesses T 1 and T 2 is equal to or greater than 3/1,000 of the diameter d of the hole 120 , the metal layers each having a constant thickness may be formed on the insulating film 110 .
- the stability of the flexible film 100 may be good.
- the sum (T 1 +T 2 ) of the thicknesses T 1 and T 2 is less than 1 ⁇ 2 of the diameter d of the hole 120 , the hole 120 may be prevented from being filled with the thick metal layers.
- the stability of the flexible film 100 may be improved by changing the thicknesses of the metal layers.
- the hole 120 may be prevented from being filled by adjusting the thicknesses of the metal layers. Hence, the excellent reliability of the connection between the flexible film 100 and the electrode may be secured. Accordingly, the flexible film 100 with the excellent stability and reliability may be provided.
- FIGS. 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views of a flexible film 200 according to an exemplary embodiment.
- the flexible film 200 may include an insulating film 210 including at least one hole 220 .
- the insulating film 210 may include a first surface 211 a corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the hole 220 , a second surface 211 b corresponding to an upper surface of the insulating film 210 , and a third surface 211 c corresponding to a lower surface of the insulating film 210 .
- the flexible film 200 may include a first metal layer 231 and a second metal layer 232 positioned on the first surface 211 a and at least one of the second and third surfaces 211 b and 211 c.
- the first metal layer 231 and the second metal layer 232 are positioned on the first surface 211 a and the second surface 211 b.
- the hole 220 may allow the first surface 211 a to make an obtuse angle with the second surface 211 b based on the second surface 211 b.
- the hole 220 may allow the first surface 211 a to make a substantially right angle with the second surface 211 b .
- the hole 220 may allow the first surface 211 a to make an acute angle with the second surface 211 b based on the second surface 211 b.
- a shape of the hole 220 may be determined depending an irradiation location of a laser. Because a relationship between the shape of the hole 220 and the laser irradiation location was described in detail in the above embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 , a further description is omitted in the present embodiment.
- a thickness T 1 of the first metal layer 231 may be smaller than a thickness T 2 of the second metal layer 232 . More specifically, the first metal layer 231 may serve as a metal seed layer used to plate the second metal layer 232 and may be formed using an electroless plating method. Therefore, the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer 231 may be very small and may is approximately 0.02 ⁇ m to 0.2 ⁇ m.
- the second metal layer 232 may be formed on the entire surface of the first metal layer 231 using an electrolytic plating method.
- the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer 232 thicker than the first metal layer 231 may be approximately 2 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m.
- a ratio of the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer 231 to the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer 232 may be approximately 1:10 to 1:2,500.
- a sum (T 1 +T 2 ) of the thickness T 1 of the first metal layer 231 and the thickness T 2 of the second metal layer 232 may be substantially equal to or greater than 3/1,000 and less than 1 ⁇ 2 of a diameter d of the hole 220 . Because the flexible film was described in the above embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 , a description of the flexible film 200 is omitted in the present embodiment.
- At least one hole is formed on an insulating film formed of polyimide.
- the hole is formed on a predetermined portion of the insulating film, and a diameter of the hole may be approximately 30 ⁇ m to 1,000 ⁇ m.
- the hole may be formed using one of a chemical etching method, a drilling method, and a laser processing method.
- the hole is formed after the metal layers are formed on the insulting film, an area of the hole has to be again plated with the metal layers.
- process time is reduced and it is easy to form the hole.
- a degreasing process is performed on the polyimide film on which the hole is formed.
- the degreasing process is a process for removing impurities on the surface of the polyimide film generated when the polyimide film is manufactured or processed. If the degreasing process is not performed, the peel strength of the flexible film may be reduced.
- An alkali rinse or a shampoo may be used as a degreasing solution in the degreasing process. Other materials may be used for the degreasing solution.
- the degreasing process may be performed for about 5 minutes at a temperature of 20° C. to 30° C.
- a temperature of the degreasing process is equal to or higher than 20° C.
- a reduction in activation of the degreasing solution may be prevented, and thus a degreasing effect may be improved.
- a temperature of the degreasing process is equal to or lower than 30° C., it is easy to adjust time required in the degreasing process.
- a surface reforming process is performed on the surface of the polyimide film going through the degreasing process.
- the surface reforming process is a process for etching the surface of the polyimide film using an etching solution.
- the etching solution may use potassium hydroxide, a mixture of potassium hydroxide and ethylene glycol, and a mixture of chromic acid and sulfuric acid. Other materials may be used for the etching solution.
- the surface reforming process may be performed for about 5 to 10 minutes at a temperature of 40° C. to 50° C.
- a temperature of the surface reforming process is equal to or higher than 40° C.
- an activation of the etching solution may be improved, and thus an etching effect may be improved.
- the surface reforming process is not performed for a long time because of an increase in the activation of the etching solution, the surface of the polyimide film may be prevented from being partially damaged.
- a temperature of the surface reforming process is equal to or lower than 50° C., it is easy to uniformly control the surface of the polyimide film because the surface reforming process is not rapidly performed.
- the surface reforming process may increase an attachment between the polyimide film going through the surface reforming process and the first metal layer in a succeeding plating process. Hence, the peel strength of the flexible film may increase.
- An imide ring of the polyimide film is rearranged through the etching process and is substituted with amide group (—CONH) or carboxyl group (—COOH). Hence, the reactivity may increase.
- a neutralization process is performed on the polyimide film going through the surface reforming process.
- An acid neutralization solution is used in the neutralization process when the etching solution used in the surface reforming process is an alkali solution.
- An alkali neutralization solution is used in the neutralization process when the etching solution is an acid solution.
- the neutralization process is a process for substituting H + ions of an acid solution for K + or Cr 3+ ions, that may remain by reacting on the amide group (—CONH) or the carboxyl group (—COOH) of the surface of the polyimide film obtained in the surface reforming process, to remove the K + or Cr 3+ ions.
- the K + or Cr 3+ ions compare with coupling ions for polarizing the surface of the polyimide film in a succeeding polarizing process. Hence, the K + or Cr 3+ ions hinder the coupling ions from reacting on the amide group (—CONH) or the carboxyl group (—COOH).
- the neutralization process may be performed at a temperature of 10° C. to 30° C.
- a temperature of the neutralization process is equal to or higher than 10° C.
- a reduction in activation of a reaction solution may be prevented, and thus a neutralization effect may be improved.
- the surface of the polyimide film may be prevented from being damaged.
- a temperature of the neutralization process is equal to or lower than 30° C., it is easy to control the uniformity of the polyimide film because a rapid reaction does not occur.
- the neutralization process is not necessary, and may be selectively performed whenever necessary.
- the polarizing process is performed on the polyimide film going through the neutralization process using a coupling solution.
- the polarizing process is a process for polarizing the surface of the polyimide film by bonding the coupling ions in a portion of the polyimide film, in which the imide ring of the surface of the polyimide film is rearranged through the etching process.
- the polarizing process may allow a succeeding plating process to be smoothly performed and may improve the peel strength.
- silane-based coupling agent or an amine-based coupling agent as the coupling solution usable in the polarizing process.
- Other materials may be used for the coupling agent.
- the polarizing process may be performed at a temperature of 20° C. to 30° C. for 5 to 10 minutes.
- the polyimide film going through the polarizing process is immersed in an acid solution at a normal temperature. Hence, the coupling ions, which are not bonded in a rearrangement area of the surface of the polyimide film, are removed.
- the degreasing process, the surface reforming process, the neutralization process, and the polarizing process are preprocessing steps for performing the plating process, and the above-described preprocessing steps may increase the efficiency of the plating process.
- a first metal layer is formed on the polyimide film going through the preprocessing steps using an electroless plating method. It is described in the exemplary embodiments that the electroless plating process is once performed to form the first metal layer. However, the electroless plating process may be twice performed to form the first metal layer having the multi-layered structure.
- a catalyst adding process is performed on the polyimide film going through the preprocessing steps.
- the polyimide film is immersed in a catalyst solution.
- palladium (Pd) as a catalyst may be adsorbed on the surface of the polyimide film.
- the catalyst solution used in the catalyst adding process may be a solution obtained by diluting PdCl 2 and SnCl 2 with hydrochloric acid in a volume ratio of 1:1.
- reaction time in the catalyst adding process is very short, an adsorption amount of Pd or Sn on the surface of the polyimide film may be reduced. If the reaction time is very long, the surface of the polyimide film may be corroded. Therefore, the reaction time is appropriately adjusted.
- the polyimide film going through the catalyst adding process is immersed in a plating solution, and the first metal layer is plated on the entire surface of the polyimide film.
- the plating solution may include EDTA aqueous solution, caustic soda aqueous solution, copper sulfate plating solution obtained by mixing formalin aqueous solution with copper sulfate aqueous solution, or nickel sulfate plating solution obtained by mixing sodium hypophosphite, sodium citrate, ammonia, and nickel sulfate hexahydrate.
- the plating solution may further include a small amount of polish component, a small amount of stabilizer component, and the like, to improve the physical properties of metal.
- the polish component and the stabilizer component may allow the plating solution to be recycled and to be preserved for a long time.
- the polyimide film to which the catalyst is added is immersed in the copper sulfate plating solution at a temperature of 35° C. to 45° C. for 20 to 30 minutes without applying a current to the polyimide film to thereby form the first metal layer.
- a method in which the plating process is performed without the current application is called an electroless plating method.
- the polyimide film to which the catalyst is added is immersed in the nickel sulfate plating solution at a temperature of 35° C. to 45° C. for 2 minutes to thereby form the first metal layer.
- the process for forming the first metal layer is a preprocessing step for plating a second metal layer.
- the first metal layer having a thickness of 0.02 ⁇ m to 1 ⁇ m may be formed.
- the process for forming the first metal layer may be completely performed until a non-plated portion is removed from the polyimide film.
- the polyimide film on which the first metal layer is formed is immersed in the plating solution, and then a current is applied to the polyimide film to form the second metal layer.
- the polyimide film on which the first metal layer is formed is immersed in the plating solution, and then a current of 2 A/d m 2 is applied to the polyimide film at a temperature of 40° C. to 50° C. for 30 minutes to form the second metal layer.
- the polyimide film including the second metal layer for example, a flexible film printed circuit board (FPCB) or a flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL) is manufactured.
- a concentration of the plating solution is held constant by smoothly stirring the plating solution.
- the plating conditions may be properly adjusted depending on a thickness of the plating layer to be obtained.
- the plating process including the current application is called an electrolytic plating method.
- the usable plating solution there are Enthone OMI on the market manufactured by Heesung Metal Ltd., NMP, and the like.
- a plating solution obtained by diluting a mixed solution of CuSO 4 —H 2 O, H 2 SO 4 , and HCl with water may be used.
- the plating solution may further include a small amount of polish component and a small amount of stabilizer component.
- the flexible film according to the exemplary embodiments may be completed.
- a circuit pattern may be printed on the flexible film according to the exemplary embodiments.
- the flexible film on which the circuit pattern is printed may be connected to electrodes or circuit patterns of various electrical devices to transmit electrical signals to the various electrical devices.
- any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc. means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention.
- the appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing a flexible film is disclosed. The method includes (a) forming at least one hole on an insulating film, (b) after the step (a), forming a first metal layer on a first surface corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the hole, and at least one of a second surface corresponding to an upper surface of the insulating film and a third surface corresponding to a lower surface of the insulating film, and (c) forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer. A thickness of the first metal layer is smaller than a thickness of the second metal layer.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0049497 filed on May 28, 2008 and No. 10-2008-0123826 filed on December 8, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
- 1. Field
- Exemplary embodiments relate to a flexible film, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a flexible film used in various electrical devices.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- A flexible film may be used in various electrical devices. As an example of the flexible film, there are a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and a flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL).
- A metal layer of the FPCB or the FCCL is manufactured using a sputtering method, a casting method, or a laminating method.
- In the sputtering method, a sputtering process is performed on a polyimide film to form a metal layer. In the casting method, liquid polyimide is coated on a metal thin film, and then a casting process is performed to thereby form a metal layer of the FCCL. In the laminating method, an adhesive is coated on a polyimide film, and a metal thin film is attached to the polyimide film using the laminating method.
- In the sputtering method, because the surface of the polyimide film is damaged, the smoothness is reduced. In the casting method, kinds of usable polyimide films are limited. In the laminating method, it is not easy to manufacture the FPCB or the FCCL because of a limitation of physical properties of the used adhesive.
- Accordingly, the FPCB or the FCCL with the improved physical properties, such as a peel strength has been recently demanded.
- Exemplary embodiments provide a method of manufacturing a flexible film with excellent stability and reliability.
- In one aspect, there is a method of manufacturing a flexible film including the step of (a) forming at least one hole on an insulating film, (b) after the step (a), forming a first metal layer on a first surface corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the hole, and at least one of a second surface corresponding to an upper surface of the insulating film and a third surface corresponding to a lower surface of the insulating film, and (c) forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer, wherein a thickness T1 of the first metal layer is smaller than a thickness T2 of the second metal layer.
- The first metal layer may be formed using an electroless plating method.
- The first metal layer may include an upper layer formed of copper (Cu) and a lower layer formed of nickel (Ni).
- The second metal layer may be formed using an electrolytic plating method.
- A diameter of the hole may be approximately 30 μm to 1,000 μm.
- The hole may be formed using one of a chemical etching method, a drilling method, or a laser processing method.
- The thickness T1 of the first metal layer may be approximately 0.02 μm to 0.2 μm.
- The thickness T2 of the second metal layer may be approximately 2 μm to 50 μm.
- The method may further comprise, before the step (b), performing a preprocessing on the insulating film
- The first metal layer may be formed of one selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), gold (Au), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni).
- The second metal layer may be formed of gold (Au) or copper (Cu).
- The insulating film may be formed of one selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyimide, liquid crystal polymer, and fluorine resin.
- The first surface may make an acute angle with the second surface.
- The first surface may make a substantially right angle with the second surface.
- The first surface may make an obtuse angle with the second surface.
- A ratio of the thickness T1 of the first metal layer to the thickness T2 of the second metal layer may be approximately 1:10 to 1:2,500.
- A ratio of the thickness T1 of the first metal layer to the thickness T2 of the second metal layer may be approximately 1:400 to 1:500.
- A sum of the thickness T1 of the first metal layer and the thickness T2 of the second metal layer may be substantially equal to or greater than 3/1,000 and less than ½ of a diameter of the hole.
- A sum of the thickness T1 of the first metal layer and the thickness T2 of the second metal layer may be approximately 1/100 to 1/10 of a diameter of the hole.
- The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 shows a flexible film according to an exemplary embodiment; -
FIGS. 2 to 7 are cross-sectional views taken along line I-I′ ofFIG. 1 ; and -
FIGS. 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views of a flexible film according to an exemplary embodiment taken along line I-I′ ofFIG. 1 . - Reference will now be made in detail embodiments of the invention examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 shows a flexible film according to an exemplary embodiment, andFIGS. 2 to 7 are cross-sectional views taken along line I-I′ ofFIG. 1 . - As shown in
FIGS. 1 to 7 , aflexible film 100 may include aninsulating film 110 including at least onehole 120. Theinsulating film 110 may include afirst surface 111 a corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of thehole 120, asecond surface 111 b corresponding to an upper surface of theinsulating film 110, and athird surface 111 c corresponding to a lower surface of theinsulating film 110. Theflexible film 100 may include afirst metal layer 131 and asecond metal layer 132 positioned on thefirst surface 111 a and at least one of the second andthird surfaces flexible film 100, thefirst metal layer 131 and thesecond metal layer 132 are positioned on the first, second andthird surfaces - The
insulating film 110 may be formed of one selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyimide, liquid crystal polymer, and fluorine resin. Theinsulating film 110 may be preferably formed of polyimide. - The
insulating film 110 may have a thickness of approximately 12 μm to 50 μm and may have flexibility. - The
hole 120 is used to connect theflexible film 100 to electrodes or a circuit patterns of various electrical devices. Thehole 120 may have a diameter d of approximately 30 μm to 1,000 μm. The diameter d of thehole 120 may be a distance between points where thefirst surfaces 111 a meet thesecond surfaces 111 b. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thehole 120 may allow thefirst surface 111 a to make an obtuse angle with thesecond surface 111 b based on thesecond surface 111 b. When thehole 120 is formed by irradiating a laser in a downward manner from thesecond surface 111 b, the diameter of thehole 120 at an incident location of the laser (i.e., in thesecond surface 111 b) is greater than the diameter of thehole 120 at an emission location of the laser (i.e., in thethird surface 111 c). Therefore, thefirst surface 111 a may make an obtuse angle with thesecond surface 111 b based on thesecond surface 111 b. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , thefirst metal layer 131 and thesecond metal layer 132 may be formed on theinsulating film 110 on which thehole 120 is formed. - On the other hand, as shown in
FIG. 4 , thehole 120 may allow thefirst surface 111 a to make a substantially right angle with thesecond surface 111 b. A shape of thehole 120 may be determined depending on an irradiation location of the laser. When thehole 120 is formed by irradiating the laser in an upward and downward manner from the second andthird surfaces hole 120 may be constant. Therefore, thefirst surface 111 a may make a substantially right angle with thesecond surface 111 b. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thefirst metal layer 131 and thesecond metal layer 132 may be formed on the insulatingfilm 110 on which thehole 120 is formed. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , thehole 120 may allow thefirst surface 111 a to make an acute angle with thesecond surface 111 b based on thesecond surface 111 b. When thehole 120 is formed by irradiating the laser in an upward manner from thethird surface 111 c, a shape of thehole 120 may be reverse to a shape of thehole 120 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 . As shown inFIG. 7 , thefirst metal layer 131 and thesecond metal layer 132 may be formed on the insulatingfilm 110 on which thehole 120 is formed. - The
first metal layer 131 may be formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), gold (Au), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) using an electroless plating method. Preferably, thefirst metal layer 131 may be formed of Ni or Cu with excellent electrical conductivity in consideration of process efficiency. - The
first metal layer 131 may have a single-layered structure formed of one of Ni and Cu or a multi-layered structure formed of Ni and Cu. For example, a Ni layer may be formed on the insulatingfilm 110 using the electroless plating method, and then a Cu layer may be formed on the Ni layer using the electroless plating method. Hence, an electroless plating layer having a two-layered structure may be formed. In other words, in the electroless plating layer having the two-layered structure, the Ni layer may be a lower layer and the Cu layer may be an upper layer. An electroless plating layer having a three-layered structure formed of Ni, Cu and Cu may be formed. Other multi-layered structures may be used. - Unlike the
first metal layer 131, thesecond metal layer 132 may be formed of gold (Au) or copper (Cu) using an electrolytic plating method. Preferably, thesecond metal layer 132 may be formed of Cu in consideration of manufacturing cost. - A thickness T1 of the
first metal layer 131 may be smaller than a thickness T2 of thesecond metal layer 132. More specifically, thefirst metal layer 131 may serve as a metal seed layer used to plate thesecond metal layer 132 and may be formed using the electroless plating method. Therefore, the thickness T1 of thefirst metal layer 131 may be very small and may is approximately 0.02 μm to 0.2 μm. - The
second metal layer 132 may be formed on the entire surface of thefirst metal layer 131 using the electrolytic plating method. The thickness T2 of thesecond metal layer 132 thicker than thefirst metal layer 131 may be approximately 2 μm to 50 μm. - The
second metal layer 132 on thefirst surface 111 a may have a thickness of approximately 2 μm to 40 μm, and thesecond metal layer 132 on the second andthird surfaces - The following Table 1 shows a stability and a peel strength of the
flexible film 100 depending on a ratio of the thickness T1 of thefirst metal layer 131 to the thickness T2 of thesecond metal layer 132. In the following Table 1, X, ◯, and ⊚ represent bad, good, and excellent states of the characteristics, respectively. -
TABLE 1 T1:T2 Stability Peel strength 1:5 ◯ X 1:10 ◯ ◯ 1:50 ◯ ◯ 1:100 ◯ ◯ 1:400 ⊚ ⊚ 1:500 ⊚ ⊚ 1:1000 ◯ ◯ 1:2000 ◯ ◯ 1:2500 ◯ ◯ 1:3000 X ◯ - As indicated in Table 1, the ratio of the thickness T1 to thickness T2 may be approximately 1:10 to 1:2,500. When the ratio of the thickness T1 to thickness T2 is equal to or less than 1/10, the electroless plating process for forming the
first metal layer 131 may be performed within an appropriate period of time. Therefore, an accessory ingredient contained in a plating solution used in the electroless plating process may not reduce the peel strength of the surface of thefirst metal layer 131. When the ratio of the thickness T1 to thickness T2 is equal to or greater than 1/2,500, a formation material of thefirst metal layer 131 may be prevented from being substituted with tin (Sn) when circuit patterns are formed on the metal layers and a Sn layer is formed on the circuit patterns in a succeeding process. - A sum of the thicknesses T1 and T2 of the first and
second metal layers hole 120. - The following Table 2 shows a stability and a peel strength of the
flexible film 100 depending on a ratio of the sum (T1+T2) of the thicknesses T1 and T2 of the first andsecond metal layers hole 120. In the following Table 2, X, ◯, and ⊚ represent bad, good, and excellent states of the characteristics, respectively. -
TABLE 2 (T1 + T2):d Stability Peel strength 1:1000 X X 3:1000 ◯ ◯ 1:500 ◯ ◯ 1:300 ◯ ◯ 1:100 ⊚ ⊚ 1:50 ⊚ ⊚ 1:10 ⊚ ⊚ 1:5 ◯ ◯ 1:2 ◯ ◯ 1:1 X ◯ - As indicated in Table 2, the sum (T1+T2) of the thicknesses T1 and T2 of the first and
second metal layers hole 120. When the sum (T1+T2) of the thicknesses T1 and T2 is equal to or greater than 3/1,000 of the diameter d of thehole 120, the metal layers each having a constant thickness may be formed on the insulatingfilm 110. Hence, the stability of theflexible film 100 may be good. When the sum (T1+T2) of the thicknesses T1 and T2 is less than ½ of the diameter d of thehole 120, thehole 120 may be prevented from being filled with the thick metal layers. - As described above, the stability of the
flexible film 100 may be improved by changing the thicknesses of the metal layers. - Further, the
hole 120 may be prevented from being filled by adjusting the thicknesses of the metal layers. Hence, the excellent reliability of the connection between theflexible film 100 and the electrode may be secured. Accordingly, theflexible film 100 with the excellent stability and reliability may be provided. -
FIGS. 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views of aflexible film 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. - As shown in
FIGS. 8 to 10 , theflexible film 200 may include an insulatingfilm 210 including at least onehole 220. The insulatingfilm 210 may include afirst surface 211 a corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of thehole 220, asecond surface 211 b corresponding to an upper surface of the insulatingfilm 210, and athird surface 211 c corresponding to a lower surface of the insulatingfilm 210. Theflexible film 200 may include afirst metal layer 231 and asecond metal layer 232 positioned on thefirst surface 211 a and at least one of the second andthird surfaces - In the
flexible film 200, thefirst metal layer 231 and thesecond metal layer 232 are positioned on thefirst surface 211 a and thesecond surface 211 b. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , thehole 220 may allow thefirst surface 211 a to make an obtuse angle with thesecond surface 211 b based on thesecond surface 211 b. - On the other hand, as shown in
FIG. 9 , thehole 220 may allow thefirst surface 211 a to make a substantially right angle with thesecond surface 211 b. As shown inFIG. 10 , thehole 220 may allow thefirst surface 211 a to make an acute angle with thesecond surface 211 b based on thesecond surface 211 b. - As shown in
FIGS. 8 to 10 , a shape of thehole 220 may be determined depending an irradiation location of a laser. Because a relationship between the shape of thehole 220 and the laser irradiation location was described in detail in the above embodiment with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7 , a further description is omitted in the present embodiment. - A thickness T1 of the
first metal layer 231 may be smaller than a thickness T2 of thesecond metal layer 232. More specifically, thefirst metal layer 231 may serve as a metal seed layer used to plate thesecond metal layer 232 and may be formed using an electroless plating method. Therefore, the thickness T1 of thefirst metal layer 231 may be very small and may is approximately 0.02 μm to 0.2 μm. - The
second metal layer 232 may be formed on the entire surface of thefirst metal layer 231 using an electrolytic plating method. The thickness T2 of thesecond metal layer 232 thicker than thefirst metal layer 231 may be approximately 2 μm to 50 μm. - A ratio of the thickness T1 of the
first metal layer 231 to the thickness T2 of thesecond metal layer 232 may be approximately 1:10 to 1:2,500. A sum (T1+T2) of the thickness T1 of thefirst metal layer 231 and the thickness T2 of thesecond metal layer 232 may be substantially equal to or greater than 3/1,000 and less than ½ of a diameter d of thehole 220. Because the flexible film was described in the above embodiment with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7 , a description of theflexible film 200 is omitted in the present embodiment. - A method of manufacturing the flexible film according to the exemplary embodiments will be described below.
- At least one hole is formed on an insulating film formed of polyimide. The hole is formed on a predetermined portion of the insulating film, and a diameter of the hole may be approximately 30 μm to 1,000 μm. The hole may be formed using one of a chemical etching method, a drilling method, and a laser processing method.
- In the related art, because the hole is formed after the metal layers are formed on the insulting film, an area of the hole has to be again plated with the metal layers. However, in the exemplary embodiments, because the metal layers are formed after the hole is formed on the insulting film, process time is reduced and it is easy to form the hole.
- Subsequently, a degreasing process is performed on the polyimide film on which the hole is formed. The degreasing process is a process for removing impurities on the surface of the polyimide film generated when the polyimide film is manufactured or processed. If the degreasing process is not performed, the peel strength of the flexible film may be reduced. An alkali rinse or a shampoo may be used as a degreasing solution in the degreasing process. Other materials may be used for the degreasing solution.
- The degreasing process may be performed for about 5 minutes at a temperature of 20° C. to 30° C. When a temperature of the degreasing process is equal to or higher than 20° C., a reduction in activation of the degreasing solution may be prevented, and thus a degreasing effect may be improved. When a temperature of the degreasing process is equal to or lower than 30° C., it is easy to adjust time required in the degreasing process.
- A surface reforming process is performed on the surface of the polyimide film going through the degreasing process. The surface reforming process is a process for etching the surface of the polyimide film using an etching solution. The etching solution may use potassium hydroxide, a mixture of potassium hydroxide and ethylene glycol, and a mixture of chromic acid and sulfuric acid. Other materials may be used for the etching solution.
- The surface reforming process may be performed for about 5 to 10 minutes at a temperature of 40° C. to 50° C. When a temperature of the surface reforming process is equal to or higher than 40° C., an activation of the etching solution may be improved, and thus an etching effect may be improved. Further, because the surface reforming process is not performed for a long time because of an increase in the activation of the etching solution, the surface of the polyimide film may be prevented from being partially damaged. When a temperature of the surface reforming process is equal to or lower than 50° C., it is easy to uniformly control the surface of the polyimide film because the surface reforming process is not rapidly performed.
- The surface reforming process may increase an attachment between the polyimide film going through the surface reforming process and the first metal layer in a succeeding plating process. Hence, the peel strength of the flexible film may increase. An imide ring of the polyimide film is rearranged through the etching process and is substituted with amide group (—CONH) or carboxyl group (—COOH). Hence, the reactivity may increase.
- A neutralization process is performed on the polyimide film going through the surface reforming process. An acid neutralization solution is used in the neutralization process when the etching solution used in the surface reforming process is an alkali solution. An alkali neutralization solution is used in the neutralization process when the etching solution is an acid solution.
- The neutralization process is a process for substituting H+ ions of an acid solution for K+ or Cr3+ ions, that may remain by reacting on the amide group (—CONH) or the carboxyl group (—COOH) of the surface of the polyimide film obtained in the surface reforming process, to remove the K+ or Cr3+ ions.
- If the K+ or Cr3+ ions remain on the surface of the polyimide film, the K+ or Cr3+ ions compare with coupling ions for polarizing the surface of the polyimide film in a succeeding polarizing process. Hence, the K+ or Cr3+ ions hinder the coupling ions from reacting on the amide group (—CONH) or the carboxyl group (—COOH).
- The neutralization process may be performed at a temperature of 10° C. to 30° C. When a temperature of the neutralization process is equal to or higher than 10° C., a reduction in activation of a reaction solution may be prevented, and thus a neutralization effect may be improved. Further, the surface of the polyimide film may be prevented from being damaged. When a temperature of the neutralization process is equal to or lower than 30° C., it is easy to control the uniformity of the polyimide film because a rapid reaction does not occur.
- The neutralization process is not necessary, and may be selectively performed whenever necessary.
- The polarizing process is performed on the polyimide film going through the neutralization process using a coupling solution.
- The polarizing process is a process for polarizing the surface of the polyimide film by bonding the coupling ions in a portion of the polyimide film, in which the imide ring of the surface of the polyimide film is rearranged through the etching process. The polarizing process may allow a succeeding plating process to be smoothly performed and may improve the peel strength.
- There may be a silane-based coupling agent or an amine-based coupling agent as the coupling solution usable in the polarizing process. Other materials may be used for the coupling agent.
- The polarizing process may be performed at a temperature of 20° C. to 30° C. for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Subsequently, the polyimide film going through the polarizing process is immersed in an acid solution at a normal temperature. Hence, the coupling ions, which are not bonded in a rearrangement area of the surface of the polyimide film, are removed.
- The degreasing process, the surface reforming process, the neutralization process, and the polarizing process are preprocessing steps for performing the plating process, and the above-described preprocessing steps may increase the efficiency of the plating process.
- A first metal layer is formed on the polyimide film going through the preprocessing steps using an electroless plating method. It is described in the exemplary embodiments that the electroless plating process is once performed to form the first metal layer. However, the electroless plating process may be twice performed to form the first metal layer having the multi-layered structure.
- More specifically, a catalyst adding process is performed on the polyimide film going through the preprocessing steps. In the catalyst adding process, the polyimide film is immersed in a catalyst solution. Hence, palladium (Pd) as a catalyst may be adsorbed on the surface of the polyimide film. The catalyst solution used in the catalyst adding process may be a solution obtained by diluting PdCl2 and SnCl2 with hydrochloric acid in a volume ratio of 1:1.
- If reaction time in the catalyst adding process is very short, an adsorption amount of Pd or Sn on the surface of the polyimide film may be reduced. If the reaction time is very long, the surface of the polyimide film may be corroded. Therefore, the reaction time is appropriately adjusted.
- Then, the polyimide film going through the catalyst adding process is immersed in a plating solution, and the first metal layer is plated on the entire surface of the polyimide film.
- The plating solution may include EDTA aqueous solution, caustic soda aqueous solution, copper sulfate plating solution obtained by mixing formalin aqueous solution with copper sulfate aqueous solution, or nickel sulfate plating solution obtained by mixing sodium hypophosphite, sodium citrate, ammonia, and nickel sulfate hexahydrate.
- The plating solution may further include a small amount of polish component, a small amount of stabilizer component, and the like, to improve the physical properties of metal. The polish component and the stabilizer component may allow the plating solution to be recycled and to be preserved for a long time.
- In case of using the copper sulfate plating solution, the polyimide film to which the catalyst is added is immersed in the copper sulfate plating solution at a temperature of 35° C. to 45° C. for 20 to 30 minutes without applying a current to the polyimide film to thereby form the first metal layer. As above, a method in which the plating process is performed without the current application is called an electroless plating method.
- In case of using the nickel sulfate plating solution, the polyimide film to which the catalyst is added is immersed in the nickel sulfate plating solution at a temperature of 35° C. to 45° C. for 2 minutes to thereby form the first metal layer.
- The process for forming the first metal layer is a preprocessing step for plating a second metal layer. The first metal layer having a thickness of 0.02 μm to 1 μm may be formed. The process for forming the first metal layer may be completely performed until a non-plated portion is removed from the polyimide film.
- The polyimide film on which the first metal layer is formed is immersed in the plating solution, and then a current is applied to the polyimide film to form the second metal layer.
- More specifically, the polyimide film on which the first metal layer is formed is immersed in the plating solution, and then a current of 2 A/d m2 is applied to the polyimide film at a temperature of 40° C. to 50° C. for 30 minutes to form the second metal layer. Hence, the polyimide film including the second metal layer, for example, a flexible film printed circuit board (FPCB) or a flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL) is manufactured.
- A concentration of the plating solution is held constant by smoothly stirring the plating solution. The plating conditions may be properly adjusted depending on a thickness of the plating layer to be obtained. As above, the plating process including the current application is called an electrolytic plating method.
- As the usable plating solution, there are Enthone OMI on the market manufactured by Heesung Metal Ltd., NMP, and the like. A plating solution obtained by diluting a mixed solution of CuSO4—H2O, H2SO4, and HCl with water may be used. The plating solution may further include a small amount of polish component and a small amount of stabilizer component.
- After a plating state of the FPCB or the FCCL manufactured through the above-described processes is evaluated to the naked eye, the flexible film according to the exemplary embodiments may be completed.
- A circuit pattern may be printed on the flexible film according to the exemplary embodiments. The flexible film on which the circuit pattern is printed may be connected to electrodes or circuit patterns of various electrical devices to transmit electrical signals to the various electrical devices.
- Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.
- Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims (19)
1. A method of manufacturing a flexible film comprising the step of:
(a) forming at least one hole on an insulating film;
(b) after the step (a), forming a first metal layer on a first surface corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the hole and at least one of a second surface corresponding to an upper surface of the insulating film and a third surface corresponding to a lower surface of the insulating film; and
(c) forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer,
wherein a thickness T1 of the first metal layer is smaller than a thickness T2 of the second metal layer.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first metal layer is formed using an electroless plating method.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first metal layer includes an upper layer formed of copper (Cu) and a lower layer formed of nickel (Ni).
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second metal layer is formed using an electrolytic plating method.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the hole is approximately 30 μm to 1,000 μm.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hole is formed using one of a chemical etching method, a drilling method, or a laser processing method.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thickness T1 of the first metal layer is approximately 0.02 μm to 0.2 μm.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thickness T2 of the second metal layer is approximately 2 μm to 50 μm.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, before the step (b), performing a preprocessing on the insulating film
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first metal layer is formed of one selected from the group consisting of chromium (Cr), gold (Au), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni).
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second metal layer is formed of gold (Au) or copper (Cu).
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insulating film is formed of one selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyimide, liquid crystal polymer, and fluorine resin.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first surface makes an acute angle with the second surface.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first surface makes a substantially right angle with the second surface.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first surface makes an obtuse angle with the second surface.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the thickness T1 of the first metal layer to the thickness T2 of the second metal layer is approximately 1:10 to 1:2,500.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the thickness T1 of the first metal layer to the thickness T2 of the second metal layer is approximately 1:400 to 1:500.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein a sum of the thickness T1 of the first metal layer and the thickness T2 of the second metal layer is substantially equal to or greater than 3/1,000 and less than ½ of a diameter of the hole.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein a sum of the thickness T1 of the first metal layer and the thickness T2 of the second metal layer is approximately 1/100 to 1/10 of a diameter of the hole.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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KR10-2008-0049497 | 2008-05-28 | ||
KR20080049497 | 2008-05-28 | ||
KR1020080123826A KR20090123759A (en) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-12-08 | Manufaturing of flexible film |
KR10-2008-0123826 | 2008-12-08 |
Publications (1)
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US20090294296A1 true US20090294296A1 (en) | 2009-12-03 |
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Family Applications (1)
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US12/357,909 Abandoned US20090294296A1 (en) | 2008-05-28 | 2009-01-22 | Method of manufacturing flexible film |
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US (1) | US20090294296A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2129199A1 (en) |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4217182A (en) * | 1978-06-07 | 1980-08-12 | Litton Systems, Inc. | Semi-additive process of manufacturing a printed circuit |
US4959121A (en) * | 1990-01-05 | 1990-09-25 | General Electric Company | Method for treating a polyimide surface for subsequent plating thereon |
US5049244A (en) * | 1989-01-20 | 1991-09-17 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Method of manufacturing double-sided wiring substrate |
US6242078B1 (en) * | 1998-07-28 | 2001-06-05 | Isola Laminate Systems Corp. | High density printed circuit substrate and method of fabrication |
US20050211561A1 (en) * | 1999-08-06 | 2005-09-29 | Ibiden Co., Ltd. | Electroplating solution, method for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit board using the same solution, and multilayer printed circuit board |
US20060289203A1 (en) * | 2003-05-19 | 2006-12-28 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Double-sided wiring board, double sided wiring board manufacturing method, and multilayer wiring board |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5840402A (en) * | 1994-06-24 | 1998-11-24 | Sheldahl, Inc. | Metallized laminate material having ordered distribution of conductive through holes |
JP2005019513A (en) * | 2003-06-24 | 2005-01-20 | Fcm Kk | Conductive sheet |
-
2009
- 2009-01-16 EP EP09000582A patent/EP2129199A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2009-01-22 US US12/357,909 patent/US20090294296A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4217182A (en) * | 1978-06-07 | 1980-08-12 | Litton Systems, Inc. | Semi-additive process of manufacturing a printed circuit |
US5049244A (en) * | 1989-01-20 | 1991-09-17 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Method of manufacturing double-sided wiring substrate |
US4959121A (en) * | 1990-01-05 | 1990-09-25 | General Electric Company | Method for treating a polyimide surface for subsequent plating thereon |
US6242078B1 (en) * | 1998-07-28 | 2001-06-05 | Isola Laminate Systems Corp. | High density printed circuit substrate and method of fabrication |
US20050211561A1 (en) * | 1999-08-06 | 2005-09-29 | Ibiden Co., Ltd. | Electroplating solution, method for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit board using the same solution, and multilayer printed circuit board |
US20060289203A1 (en) * | 2003-05-19 | 2006-12-28 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Double-sided wiring board, double sided wiring board manufacturing method, and multilayer wiring board |
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