PCB with different solder mask colors

The solder mask is the main protective layer of the circuit board to prevent corrosion and oxidation.
The solder mask affects the quality of the PCB. Without the protective layer, the soldering performance of the PCB will be reduced and affect the normal operation of the device.
The solder mask plays an important role in the soldering points and other conductive parts of the tested circuit board during the PCB assembly process, helping to prevent the formation of solder bridges.

The role of solder mask

1. The gap between pads is very small during soldering, and the solder mask can prevent short circuits between pads.

2. Allow PCB to be soldered only where it must be soldered.

3. The solder mask can prevent damage and corrosion to the insulation layer caused by environmental factors such as dust and moisture.
The solder mask can protect the circuit for a long time. 4. The solder mask has high insulation, making it possible to densify the circuit.

What are the color options for the PCB solder mask?

PCB manufacturers use liquid optical imaging to create solder mask such as LPl or LPlsM.
This is essentially a special ink that can be printed, sprayed, or silk-screened onto PCBs and other items in PCB production. POB

Manufacturers can use a blended ooymer and coated solder mask to achieve a thin coating that can be applied to nearly all PCB surfaces.
Making an effective alternative to traditional PCB coatings. After cleaningAnd scrubbing the panel, cure with UL UV light. A common drawback is that LPlSM is not always available for PCBs if the PCB requires a special plating finish

By Solder Mask Color

1. Green solder mask

Green standard is a common PCB resistor option because it makes everything clearly visible. White text on a specific background has high contrast, and the finish is not bright enough to reflect much light, which reduces glare. Green solder mask is a common choice for circuit board manufacturers, and some may consider it an effective way to highlight high-quality workmanship because the color

does not interfere with display wiring.

2. White solder mask

Sodermask aooicatons or white pute arautboards are beconino more conmon beclse hev can make Pebs ookoaiclanybealiul! na dean enwonmen. HOweVe. Dactca a0plcetonn PCB factories may be more diffcult Because the white solder mask hides the traces wel. And the risk that white solder masks might slowly turn yellow
3. Black solder mask

The blacksolder mask produces sightly fewer visibilty problems thanthe white option. The conteast is smal,but the label and ange components are easyto se.
The disadvantage is thatlight maycatch componentsand Castsmalshadows, making the marks hard erto se The black_PcB solder maskopton is also not oeneraly recommended becalsethe heatincreases which mav discolor the screen prints and make the circuit board Harderto clean Like white, it is a very beautiful PcB board, and the black solder mask has a unigue visual effect.

4. Red solder mask

Red PCB boards are becoming a popular choice. They don’t offer the same stark contrast as white boards, but they give PCBs a fresh new look compared to the industry standard. The silkscreen stands out against the red background.

5. Blue solder mask

Boards with labels should consider a blue or black mask because it will show up in a light blue. Without proper sanding and finishing, the marking will become much harder to see. It’s all about the balance of colors. Blue is often chosen because it doesn’t look as dramatic as white or black, but it’s a striking aesthetic choice. It suggests sophistication and craftsmanship, especially if you’re mounting it on an LCD screen. It shows dirt more easily than some other colors.

6. Yellow solder mask

Many new colors are emerging, but they can be difficult to control. Yellow is a pleasant color,
But it has poor contrast with screen printing and tracing, so it is difficult to use in any practical application. Different colors will balance different needs,
Such as cleanliness, visibility, and style. Always try PCB samples before choosing a new color.

Although the color of the solder mask has no effect on the board surface, the thickness of the solder mask has a great impact on the impedance.
According to the cost of the PCB, red solder mask is the best choice for controlling bubbles and thickness. First, the price of solder mask is relatively expensive,
And the thickness of solder mask is indeed not ideal; secondly, its color can easily cover up some defects on the circuit board, and the solder mask will be more obvious; thirdly,
The exposure of red and yellow solder mask is relatively stable, the exposure of green solder mask is uncertain, and white solder mask is not easy to control.

The viscosity of solder mask varies with different colors. Green solder mask is small, red, yellow, and white solder mask is large, and black solder mask is large.
On high-density PCBs, the distance between pads is small, so the viscosity of the solder mask varies with the color.
The green solder mask is small, the red, yellow, and white solder masks are large, and the black solder mask is large.
The width of the solder mask is small. When the solder mask is screen-printed, the viscosity of the solder mask is small and it is easier to print on the PCB.
Therefore, sometimes the quality of the resistance value of the manufactured PCB cannot be guaranteed after the ratio is changed. In addition,
The green solder mask and the black solder mask are doped with cobalt and carbon respectively. They have a certain conductivity, so there is a risk of short circuit.
The PCB with green solder mask is environmentally friendly and will not release toxic gases when used in a high temperature environment.