Q: What is the resistivity of your copper foil?

A: IPC-4562 stipulates the maximum resistivity for ED copper foils (see IPC-4562, point, table 3-2). However, these values are based on untreated copper foils, which is not representative for the final user. Our untreated foils are typically below the IPC limits, e.g. for a nominal thickness of 35 µm the resistivity is lower than 0.162 Ωg/m². Treatment has a non-negligible impact on the foils electrical resistivity:
~4.7 to 5.4 µΩcm for Cu/Zn ratio ~85 % / ~15 % and
~6.3 µΩcm for Zn only.

Q: What are the density and the thermal expansion factor of your copper foils?

A: The IPC-4562 indicates a value of 8.93 g/cm³ [5.16 oz/in³] for the ED-copper’s density (IPC-4562, table 1-1, footnotes).
The thermal expansion of our copper is in a range between 16 ppm and 17 ppm when tested in a temperature range from 20 – 250 °C.

Q: What is the purity of your copper foil?

A: According to the IPC-4562 the purity has to be determined on untreated copper foils. The purity of our copper is better than the IPC limit of 99.8 %.
Including the treatment, the purity is >99.7 %

Q: We measure by cross section for 1 oz copper foil a thickness of about 32 µm only. Why?

A: The value of 35 µm is a nominal thickness value only. The nominal average area weight of 305 g/m² corresponds to a value of 34.15 µm. IPC-4562 stipulates for all copper foils a tolerance of ± 10 %. This means for 1 oz (35 µm) foil the area weight might vary between 274.5 g/m² and 335.5 g/m². By simple calculation using the copper density (8.93 g/cm³), the resulting theoretical thickness can vary between 30.74 µm and 37.57 µm.
For a typical average area weight for a 1 oz copper foil of 285 g/m² the calculated copper thickness is 31.9 µm.
Additionally, for all thickness measurements of copper foils in cross section the roughness of the treatment side has to be taken into account. The pyramidal and dendritic shaped matte side doesn’t allow a simple determination of the thickness. The graph below should explain this effect.

  1. corresponds to the total thickness measured with a micrometer device
  2. is the roughness as determined with a stylus profilometer
  3. this corresponds to an absolute minimum thickness of the bulk foil without the pyramidal structure
  4. this corresponds to the foil thickness using in addition ~? to ~½ of the treatment height


Q: Do you use organics for the shiny side surface protection of your copper foil?

A: No. We do not use any organically protection film on the surface.

Q: What does the YE designation stand for?

A: This designation identifies copper foil with an improved inorganic non-tarnishing layer. These foils show a light yellowish appearance after lamination.

Q: How can I clean the surface of the copper foil with YE finish?

A: The surface cleaning is not different to any other copper foil and can be done with common surface cleaning solutions.

Q: Do you use an organic film for the separation layer of your DoublethinTM products?

A: No, we don’t apply any organics as separation layer. We use a metallic chromium layer to ensure the complete separation between carrier and functional foil. The chromium completely stays on the carrier foil; no residues remain at the surface of the functional copper layer.

Q: Do I have to clean the functional layer of the DoublethinTM foil after peeling-off the carrier?

A: Yes. We recommend the use of a mild cleaning step with common cleaning solutions (e.g. sulfuric acid solution) prior the plating process. After peeling the carrier foil, a virgin copper surface remains which immediately oxidizes. This oxidation is not necessarily uniform and can cause uneven plating images.

Q: Up to what lamination temperature DoublethinTM foil can be used?

A: Starting from a low ‘carrier bond’ value the maximum lamination temperature is about 220 - 225 °C.
Circuit Foil’s leading production technology for ultra-thin copper foils allows the control of the bonding properties between the carrier and the functional ultra-thin copper foil. Based on the lamination temperature this ‘carrier bond’ will be set-up to an optimized range. Therefore the application (substrate, lamination temperature) should be specified in your P.O.

Q: Does Circuit Foil’s copper products comply to ROHS regulations (EU Directive 2011/95/EC)?

A: Yes. All our copper foils are compliant to ROHS limitations. For more information follow this link