Ready-To-Use Version Catalyst for Electroless Nickel

Paladin™ Catalyst (RDZ-1354) is a unique development to catalyze Copper pads, of SMT Printed Circuit Boards. Paladin™ Catalyst is a unique and important development because it catalyzes only Copper, and cannot catalyze any other metals, or organics, such as soldermask, inks, or laminate, thus insuring plating only on the target Copper pads. Paladin™ Catalyst will catalyze any plating bath requiring a palladium catalyst, including all electroless Nickel plating systems.

Paladin™ Catalyst (RDZ-1354) will build Copper as it is used, to a maximum of 150 PPM, when it will start precipitating the Copper. It is important that the bath be agitated, and filtered, to maintain uniform catalysis, and long life. ™ 120º F (50º C

MAKE-UP:
Use Paladin™ Catalyst (RDZ-1354) as received.

OPERATION:
Room temperature, 1 minute. If possible use deionized water rinses before catalyst. Do not allow bath to be contaminated with Chloride, as this will poison it.

OPERATING PARAMETERS:
Metal content in the Paladin™ bath, as supplied, is nominally .266 grams per liter. Do not allow metal content to fall below .200 grams per liter. Add Palladium only by addition of Paladin™ Replenisher (RDX-1206). Control pH to 2.0 - 2.2 by adding either pH Up (RDX-1207) or pH Down (RDX-1208). The pH control must be determined for each installation, as additions cannot be predicted. Do not add any chemicals not approved by RD Chemical Company.

EQUIPMENT:
Polyethylene, Polypropylene, or 300 series Stainless Steel. Continuous filtration through 1 micron filter, will extend bath life, and guarantee uniform catalysis.

Preparation of old tanks for use as Paladin™ Catalyst (RDZ-1354) tanks: Leach first with 15% Nitric or Methane Sulfonic Acid. Heat to 120+ºF, and circulate through filter for at least one hour. Rinse tank, then follow with 12 oz/gallon ChemClean CM (RD-38) at 120ºF for one hour minimum, or until all stains are removed. Contact RD Chemical for difficult or unique problems, like Permanganate etch-back solutions.

SAFETY:

Consult Material Safety Data Sheet for further information.

DISPOSAL:
Dispose in accordance with Federal, State and local regulations. Contact your RD Chemical representative for further information.

PACKAGING:

Paladin™ Catalyst (RDZ-1354) is available in 5 gallon and 55 gallon drums. The pH controlling agents, pH Up (RDX-1207) and pH Down (RDX-1208) are available in 5 gallon and 55 gallon drums.

Patent Pending

Recommended Process Line for Paladin™ Catalyst

Step	Process Line	Concentration & Temperature	Time	Agitation & Filtration	Heater	Equipment Required	Ventilation Requirements
1.	Alkaline Clean: (Optional) HASL Pre-Cleaner SL (RD-8)	25% by Volume 120-170°F (50-75°C)	1-2 Min.	Rack-OK Air-OK Filter-NR	SS or Quartz - OK Teflon - OK Titanium - OK	SS - OK PVC - OK PP - OK	Not Required
2.	Cold Rinses, cascaded	Can be sent to drain with only pH adjustment, if needed.
3.	Microetch: UniEtch (RD-84)	4-8 oz/gallon + 1% Sulfuric Acid (30-60 gms/liter + 10 mls/lt Sulfuric Acid)	30-60 Seconds	Rack - OK	Teflon or Quartz - OK Titanium - OK SS - OK	PVC - OK PP - OK PE - OK	Not Required
4.	Deionized Water Rinses	(May need to be treated for Copper removal & pH adjustment).
5.	Paladin™ Catalyst (RDZ-1354)	100% (undiluted) Room Temp to 120° F (50° C) Depending on Electroless Nickel	One Minute	Filtration - Yes Rack - OK Air - NO Solution - Best	Teflon - OK Titanium - OK SS - NO!	PVC - OK PP or PE - OK SS - OK	Not Required
6.	Paladin™ Catalyst Rinse (RDZ-1374)	100% (undiluted) Room Temperature	30+ Seconds	Agitation Filtration Recommended	Not Required	PVC - OK PP or PE - OK	Not Required
7.	Cold Rinses	Cascaded, send to drain without treatment.
8.	Electroless Nickel	------------------------------- As recommended by supplier-------------------------------
9.	Rinse
10.	Gold Plate	------------------------------- As recommended by supplier-------------------------------
11.	Rinse
12.	Dry