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Introduction
Matte and glossy solder mask finishes are both important factors that dictate what PCB design option works best for your printed circuit board (PCB). There are advantages that each type of access provides based upon functionality, aesthetics and specifically for specific project needs. In this blog, we will dive through these differences so you can decide based on your PCB requirements.
What is a Glossy Solder Mask Finish?
A light and shiny finished PCB has a glossy finish. It has a smooth look which reflects light. It is lighter in color than matte finishes. This finish completes your PCB to a sleek, polished look. If you want a bright, reflective surface for your board, it’s perfect.
What is a Matte Solder Mask Finish?
The matte solder mask finish doesn’t have shine on a PCB. It has no light reflection and looks darker. It appears soft and textured on the surface. Scratches may happen, but they’re less obvious. It might have surface marks or residue though.
Glossy Solder Mask Finish Advantages
Aesthetic Appeal
A shiny modern look is what your PCB should have with this solder mask. Viewed as the classic PCB appearance, many people see it as this. Standing out and looking sleek, its bright finish makes this item stand out in your house. Clean, polished appearance is its most popular choice.
Wear Visibility
This makes wear less visible. The back is smooth with its reflective surface, hiding small signs of use. It keeps your PCB looking newer longer. That shiny finish also helps to hide the wear.
Scratch Resistance
On top of that, it provides more scratch resistance. It has a harder surface to protect its damage. It does much better in resisting scratches compared to matte finishes. This is so that your PCB stays smooth and clean.
Improved Electrical Performance
Solder mask is this that can improve the electrical performance of your PCB. Its smooth and non porous surface helps reduce electrical noise. It increases efficiency by keeping a stable signal flow. A glossy finish for your PCB may be what you want if you want better conductivity and reliability in your PCB.
Improved Solderability
Solder can pour easily onto its smooth surface. As a result, you get stronger, more reliable connections. It’s easier to work with, especially at assembly. Glossy finish helps prevent soldering and for better performance.
Matte Solder Mask Finish Advantages
Visibility During Inspection
Improved visibility during inspection is obtained by a matte solder mask. It doesn’t reflect light, therefore the details are clear. And you can quickly find any errors or defects. The inspection process is become smoother and more accurate.
Problem Detection
It makes it very easy to see the problem. It is apparent more on problems than on glossy finishes. Thus, defects can be easily found during inspection. It’s matte so you can really see the details. You’ll be more confident in spotting any issues. The sight mat finish improves vision and accuracy for checks.
Solder Ball Reduction
Reduction of solder ball formation can be greatly amplified from this solder mask. The research has shown that it cuts in risk on PCBs. In this case, solder balls are less likely to form when gloss level deteriorates. Such actions help improve PCB goodwill and reliability as a whole. This also makes the surface cleaner during assembly as it has a matte finish. Defects will be fewer and performance will be better on your final product.
Improved Adhesion
It improves adhesion of components. The textured surface on its surface helps through stronger bond to attach solder on the pcb. It sticks better for you in assembly. This will avoid a lot of peeling or detachment later. Plus, having your connections go matte helps to ensure better reliability.
Comparison: Matte vs. Glossy Solder Mask
Glossy Solder Mask Finish | Matte Solder Mask Finish | |
| Aesthetics | Shiny, and reflective, glossy finishes. Matte finishes are lighter in color than they are. | Non-reflectable and smooth matte finishes are used. Glossy finishes appear more pronounced than the appearances of the existing dark finishes. It creates a subtle look to your PCB. And matte finishes may also feel softer to the touch. |
| Durability | They are harder surfaces that protect very well. Gloss finishes resist damage less well than matte finishes.
| Matte usually is more subject to surface damage. They may get worn out with time. |
| Surface Imperfections | Surface imperfections are usually avoided in gloss finishes. The surface of their looking clean and polished. However, during assembly the reflectivity can present problems. Some vision systems may be harmed by the shine. Therefore, things can get harder to see details clearly. | Matte finishes will also show surface imperfections more. A lot of times they have cosmetic issues and residue. It makes your PCB look less clean. You may notice smudges and marks easily. |
| Surface Texture | Gloss finishes are very clean and smooth. They reflect a lot of light. As a result, they are the shiniest one available. This bright surface enlivens your PCB’s looks. You’ll also see a refined appearance that is clear. | The matte finishes – also called flat – have low gloss. It doesn’t reflect much light. They are great to hide surface imperfections both above and below. The finish seems to be smooth and flat. There is a lot of pigment in matte finishes. That enables them to rush across big areas quickly and simply. |
| Cost | More processes are required to make glossy sold mask. The raw materials that they often use in production are special. It will also make them more expensive than matte options. This finish may cost you more. Yet the shiny finish can improve the PCB’s appeal. | Matte solder masks tend to be cheaper. Need fewer special treatments and materials. This is beneficial to lower production costs. Although you can still get good quality, you can save the money. |
| Temperature Characteristics | Solder masks that are glossy are great for high temperature. Used for heat sensitive applications. That means they won’t break from heat. You can trust them for demanding environments. | High temperatures resist matte solder masks well. But they may not do as well as glossy finishes. |
| Contaminants Resistance | They’re glossy and slippery and smooth. It makes residue slide right off. Such contaminants can’t stick to the surface. You will also be able to keep clean much easier. This prevents your PCB from looking bad. | Matte finishes are rough textured. This is a texture which catches on to residue and contaminant. Dirt loves to cling to them. You may notice more growing over time. Matte finishes are more prone to contamination because of this. |
When to Choose a Glossy Finish
A glossy finish is what most people think looks better. Shiny (gloss) solder masks reflect light and dull (matte) finishes appear dark and non reflecting. Hard shelled are gloss finishes and matte finishes look softer. Scratches tend to show more readily in a gloss finish. But if you do scratch a PCB, it will look more scratched than in a matte finish. If you aim to make a PCB great: get a glossy finish, but note high reflectivity will draw back from assembly. Glossy is better for better marketing appeal or if you don’t have a preference, because it’s the industry standard.
When to Choose a Matte Finish
It has reasons over glossy. If you are worried about solder balls, a matte finish might help. The rougher matte finishes are softer and therefore a source of fewer solder balls. If you aim to simplify production then you might opt for a matte finish. However, especially when you’re talking about a noted skilled PCB manufacturer, both finishes can be false and it can help you ensure accuracy during fabrication. But if quality assurance is important to you, matte is useful.
What to Check Between Matte vs Glossy Solder Masks
Impact on Vision Systems
Vision systems are used to choose between matte and glossy solder masks. Light is reflected. You may not be able to see details. With matte finish there is less glare and easier to see. This is worth thinking about if your production relies on vision systems. Issues might make you rather go for matte. It makes sure during the inspection that there is precision. Think about how the finish works with your set up.
Pad Flatness
Some finishes make uneven surfaces. This can affect solderability and ultimately performance. A smoother finish will offer if flatness is a major thing for you PCB. Thin even layers are your best bet looks for. Choices with finishes like OSP, ENEPIG, and ENIG are a good choice. They keep pad flatness and enhance the soldering. Make your best choice taking your needs into account.
Gold & Aluminum Wire Bonding
If planning on bonding your PCB with Aluminum or gold wire, choose the right finish. For this ENEPIG and ENIG finishes are best. Strong wire bonds are supported and reliability is ensured.
Solderability & Wettability
It is important for the performance of your PCB. Finished such as OSP and ENEPIG can be problematic. During manufacturing, they may impair solderability. HASL works well at the end for solderability, whereas it is slow or mediocre at the end for wettability. Strong connections and good performance are guaranteed.
Solder Ball Formation
In regards to solder ball formation between matte and glossy solder masks. Matte finishes can solve this problem a long way. In fact, research reveals that this decreases PCB risk of having solder ball formation. Lower gloss level means less of this issue.
Storage Conditions
When picking between matte and glossy solder masks, take the storage conditions into effect. Some finishes make PCBs tougher. Others can make them fragile. But you should know how your PCB will be stored. However, if your PCB is fragile from a finish, protected it with care. Make sure your storage can meet the handling requirements. It will serve to protect your PCB and increase its life.
Solder Cycles
Imagine how many times your PCB will be soldered. Some finishes are well suited to being reworked. But not everyone, for example, would be able to employ other processes such as immersion tin. You want a finish that can withstand multiple cycles. With this, a PCB remains reliable and functional.
RoHS Compliance
You cannot have harmful materials on your PCB. Finishes containing lead are not RoHS compliant. Throw away these finishes for your PCBs. Make sure to check RoHS compliance to meet regulation. That is to ensure your product is safe and legal.
Industry Standards for Solder Mask Finishes
For example, according to industry standards for solder mask finishes. Essential information is created in the IPC-SM-840C document. This specification is also helpful to vendors in evaluation of solder mask. It also tells the designers and the manufacturers. It should be qualified that the production process is. IPC-SM-840C is driven by performance, reliability. There are two main classes: Class T suits high performance products not life critical and Class H suits life critical products. For equipment in which reliability is critical, the class is H. You want to check the quality of the finished boards. IPC-SM-840C doesn’t check compatibility with post soldering processes.
Select the Correct Color Finish for Your Printed Circuit Board
Green
So when choosing a color finish, don’t forget to choose green. PCBs by default are green. That became the norm in the industry. In fact, green has remained popular with many manufacturers. Green is popular, even with other color options. Green solder mask materials are very cheap. This is because they are so prevalent. You can always rely green for cost and quality.
Black
Traces and areas are hard to see. It is not very contrasted when compared to other colors. You have to have strong magnification so you can see the board. Black PCBs are pretty darn difficult to inspect without being on a slanted angle. This angle makes shadow better, for vision. Reflow soldering also heats up black more. Cleaning flux is also harder on black boards. A great deal of consideration should be taken before one chooses black.
Blue
The color is similar to the one of Arduino‘s blue color. Despite that, it has less contrast as compared to green or red. They may sometimes have to be magnified so that the error shows. If you don’t have to match Arduino’s color, blue is good. If showing traces isn’t important, it also works.
White
Often black is easier to manage than this. White isn’t usually that useful for PCBs, the researchers say. Low contrast white PCBs as opposed to black ones. It is hard to see traces and areas. But when you turn it towards the light, it doesn’t get much more visible. It’s possible you’ll find it difficult to point out errors when you inspect. Before you choose white, here are some challenges. To be more practical, a better color can be, instead.
Yellow
It’s not common to choose a yellow solder mask. Yellow is most avoided by most engineers and designers. But yellow is good visibility. It has very sharp contrast between traces and voids. It is easy to see details. Green, almost yellow, but denser and bolder. Yellow is unique, if that’s something you want. Visibility is one of the things it can be a practical choice for too.
Red
FR-4 material is mostly used in red PCBs. That’s a strong and cheap fiberglass composite — FR-4. It is super insulating. The FR-4 is coated with a layer of red solder resist paint. The PCB surface is protected by this paint. It will cover electrical connections and prevent short circuits. In the industry, red solder mask paint is popular. It is good contrast for easy visibility.
Purple
Purple solder masks are a unique and rare color. Not many PCB makers use this. The benefits they have to offer is very good. Purple hues give you improved visibility. It improves the contrast between components and traces. It also makes your PCB look special. Purple is worth it, but it will cost you more. This color choice will make you stand out.
Conclusion
This blog outlined the differences between matte and glossy PCB solder masks, on a side by side comparison. It spoke of the features of beauty and durability. Both the glossy and the matte masks are well reflective and visually appealing. Additionally, we show cost differences as well as help readers to make an intelligent choice regarding the best finish for their project.
