PCB in Automotive Market
Common Surface Treatment Agents for Automotive PCB
Some common applications of PCB in automotive include:
1. Perimeter monitor: newer car models are usually designed with a number of safety systems to help drivers monitor blind spots and judge distances more accurately. Many cars are now equipped with perimeter monitoring systems that use radar or cameras to measure distance and alert drivers when they get close to objects. These systems need high-quality car PCB circuit board to work properly.
2. Control system: automotive control system, including engine management system, fuel regulator and power supply, uses PCB-based electronic products for monitoring and resource management. Some control systems even can realize automatic driving. For example, some cars on the market provide automatic parallel parking.
3. Navigation equipment: the existing navigation equipment is very common in modern vehicles, using GPS computers to help drivers find the path in unfamiliar areas or determine the fastest route to the destination.
4. Audio and video devices: many automobiles on the market today have advanced instrument boards that connect the vehicle to a radio or a passenger's phone or music device. In addition, many family vehicles use the passenger movie screen to occupy passengers during long-distance riding. All of these devices are controlled by PCB-based electronic devices.
In any of these automotive PCB applications, specific design issues must be considered. For example, the high vibration environment of a car may impose a large amount of strain on standard rigid circuit boards. Therefore, many automotive electronics manufacturers do not use rigid automotive PCB design, but use a flexible PCB one. In addition to being small and light, it also has stronger vibration resistance. Therefore, the challenge is to produce enough high-frequency and flexible PCB to meet the needs of the large automotive industry.
The popularity of automotive electronics will promote the volume and price of automotive PCB (printed circuit boards). In recent years, the trend of automotive electrification and electronization is obvious, and PCB is almost everywhere in an automotive electronic system.
The printed circuit board (PCB) is the basis of a modern automotive electronic circuit. They are inevitable for reliable interconnection. They support the assembly of electronic ignition system, transmission control unit, electronic light drive, navigation system and many other components in the vehicle.
The PCB board manufacturer need to consider several factors when manufacturing and assembling PCB for automotive electronic equipment. They must be manufactured to withstand high temperatures, high pressures, harsh chemicals, oil and other contaminants. In order to tolerate the above factors and provide reliable performance, automotive PCB is coated with an advanced coating. Here are some advantages of several common surface treatments.
Surface treatment of automobile PCB advantages
Generally, PCB for automotive applications is coated with any of the four finishes listed below. Each surface treatment has its own advantages and disadvantages.
1. Hot air solder grade (HASL)
Advantages: easy to apply with the good bond strength and long shelf life, easy to rework, easy to visual inspection and low cost.
2. Sinking silver
Advantages: 6-12 months shelf life, excellent solderability, short and easy process cycle, low PCB manufacturing price, and easy recoating and rework.
3. Chemical nickel/gold immersion (ENIG)
Advantages: suitable for PTH, uniform thickness, easy to weld, good contact resistance, flat surface.
4. Organic solderable preservative - (OSP)
Advantages: cost-effective and simple process, very suitable for narrow spacing pads, good solder mask integrity, and without impact on the final hole size.
Now you've learned the advantages of different types of surface treatments for automotive PCB assembly in PCB cars. Choosing the right surface treatment can greatly contribute to the function and service life of the final assembly. Your choice must depend on all these facts: budget, application method, shelf life, testability and compatibility with the overall assembly process and so on.
