White PCB Solder Mask for LED Lighting Applications

We always say that the PCB is your critical component. With the growth of new technology-centric industries, this is true.

One example in particular is lighting applications. LED lighting found in vehicles, urban infrastructure, and warehouses is evolving into a nuanced application that strives to bring precise brightness and color for perfect aesthetics. When it comes to lighting, the PCB can be the difference between a room glowing white or a yellowish tint.

White solder mask for pure white light

The first reason why the PCB is a critical component for lighting applications becomes apparent when determining the reflectivity of the PCB itself. Light bulbs can be purchased in a variety of colors, from warm yellow to cool blue. When pure white is required, it is crucial to understand how light reflects from different surfaces. This includes the PCB itself. The easiest way to achieve pure white is to use white solder mask instead of green solder mask. This ensures that the white light of the LED reflects off the white color of the PCB and brings the desired effect to the end application.

Every white solder mask has a different reflectivity. Make sure you are choosing a brand for lighting applications. Look for keywords such as LED back panel, LED application, bright white, and high reflectivity. This will also ensure that the solder mask you choose has other properties that are required for lighting applications.

Choose a quality PCB solder mask to prevent changes during the assembly process

The second reason why the PCB is a critical component for lighting applications is that the durability of the PCB during the assembly process can affect or ruin the final light color. During the manufacturing and assembly process, cheap solder masks can change from a bright white to a dull color. For example, the electrolytic process of applying the ENIG coating turns some white solder mask pink. This results in the final light color being pink instead of pure white. Don’t scrap your board after all the time and money spent on assembly. Choose a quality PCB solder mask and get it right from the beginning.

In addition, understanding how the solder mask will adhere to different metal substrate PCBs will help you get the perfect lighting board. When deciding on a material, ask how the manufacturing and assembly processes will affect adhesion and hardness. Pay attention to the heat resistance of the solder mask to ensure that the board will not be damaged when reflowing or reworking the components.

Based on our expertise in solder masks for lighting applications, NCAB recommends using Sun brand materials. Both the WT series and LEW series are specifically manufactured for reflectivity in lighting applications. Some popular ones include:

lPSR4000-WT02

lPSR4000-WT03

lPSR4000-LEW2

lPSR4000-LEW3

Make sure you understand the supply chain for your material when factoring it into your engineering process. If you are calling out a specific material, make sure to check that it is common to many different mills, not just the one you will be using it with. It is often the case that a mill selects a material that becomes a company standard without understanding how difficult it is to source.