Flex PCB Surface Finish

ENIG · OSP · HASL · Immersion Silver & Tin

ISO 9001|ISO 13485|IATF 16949
Engineering review before quotationPrototype through volume productionTest report and traceability support
Flex PCB Surface Finish

Surface Finish Expertise for Flexible Circuits

Surface finish selection can make or break a flex PCB design. Unlike rigid boards, flexible circuits face unique challenges: repeated bending stresses the solder joint interface, thin polyimide substrates demand gentler chemical processes, and tight bend radii expose finishes to mechanical fatigue. Our engineering team evaluates your application requirements — component types, operating environment, assembly method, expected lifetime — and recommends the optimal finish. We process all six major surface finish types in-house, with dedicated lines calibrated specifically for flex and rigid-flex substrates.

Six surface finish options in-house
Flex-specific process calibration
Fine-pitch BGA/QFN compatibility
RoHS and REACH compliant finishes
Wire bondable gold options
High-frequency signal optimization

Surface Finish Specifications

ENIG Nickel Thickness3–6 μm (IPC-4552)
ENIG Gold Thickness0.05–0.15 μm
OSP Thickness0.2–0.5 μm
HASL Thickness1–25 μm
Immersion Silver0.15–0.40 μm (IPC-4553)
Immersion Tin0.8–1.2 μm (IPC-4554)
Hard Gold (Edge Connector)0.5–2.5 μm
Shelf Life (ENIG)12+ months
Shelf Life (OSP)6 months
Lead-Free ComplianceAll finishes RoHS compliant

Application-Matched Finishes

Consumer Electronics

OSP or ENIG for smartphones, wearables, and tablets — balancing cost with fine-pitch solderability on high-density flex layouts.

Medical Devices

ENIG for implantables and diagnostic equipment where long shelf life, flat pad surface, and corrosion resistance are non-negotiable.

Automotive Electronics

ENIG or immersion tin for sensors, displays, and control modules operating in temperature extremes from -40°C to +150°C.

RF & High-Frequency

Immersion silver for low insertion loss on antenna feeds, RF front-ends, and millimeter-wave flex circuits.

Aerospace & Defense

ENIG with hard gold tabs for high-reliability connectors, wire bonding pads, and mission-critical avionics flex assemblies.

LED Lighting

OSP or lead-free HASL for cost-sensitive LED flex strips where solderability matters more than long-term storage.

Surface Finish Selection Process

1

Design Review & Requirement Analysis

Our engineers review your Gerber files, BOM, and assembly requirements. We assess pad geometry, component pitch, operating environment, and expected shelf storage time.

2

Finish Recommendation

Based on your specific needs, we recommend one or more finish options with a clear comparison of trade-offs: cost, flatness, solderability window, and reliability.

3

Substrate Preparation

Flex panels undergo micro-etching and cleaning optimized for polyimide substrates. Surface roughness and copper condition are verified before plating.

4

Finish Application

Each finish runs on a dedicated production line with chemistry, temperature, and immersion times calibrated for flex PCB thickness and panel size.

5

Quality Inspection & Testing

XRF thickness measurement on every panel. Solderability testing per IPC J-STD-003. Cross-section analysis available for critical applications.

Why Choose Our Surface Finish Services?

Flex-Optimized Chemistry

Our plating baths are tuned specifically for polyimide-based substrates. Rigid PCB parameters do not transfer directly to flex — we account for thinner copper, flexible base materials, and coverlay openings.

All Six Finishes In-House

No outsourcing, no delays. ENIG, OSP, lead-free HASL, immersion silver, immersion tin, and hard gold — all processed under one roof with consistent quality control.

IPC-Certified Processes

Our surface finish lines comply with IPC-4552 (ENIG), IPC-4553 (immersion silver), IPC-4554 (immersion tin), and J-STD-003 solderability standards.

Engineering Guidance

Not sure which finish suits your design? Our application engineers provide free consultations with data-driven recommendations based on your exact use case.

Send This With Your RFQ

The more complete the package, the faster and cleaner the quote.

Gerber, drawing, or sample photos

BOM, stackup, and key materials

Quantity, target lead time, and application

What You Get Back

Designed to help procurement and engineering move without extra loops.

DFM and manufacturability feedback

Quoted price, tooling, and lead time options

Testing and documentation plan

What should we send for a fast RFQ?

Send your drawing or Gerber, BOM, quantity forecast, application environment, and target lead time. Incomplete inputs slow quotation and increase assumptions.

What happens after we submit the inquiry?

Our engineers review risks first, then return pricing, lead time, and any DFM or sourcing concerns so you can compare options before release.

Can you support prototypes and repeat production under one program?

Yes. The same workflow supports prototype validation, pilot build, and volume release with traceability and testing requirements carried forward.

Explore Our Other Services

Discover our complete range of flex PCB manufacturing and assembly services