Printed circuit soldermask

The surface of a PCB can have a coating that protects the copper from corrosion and reduces the chances of solder shorting between traces or unwanted electrical contact with possible loose wires.

For its function of helping to prevent solder shorts, the coating is called a solder mask.

Soldermask is generally green in color but can have different colors: green, red, blue, white, black.

Only the outer layers need to be covered with solder mask, the inner copper layers are protected by the adjacent substrate layers.

The soldering mask soldermask is made of a fluid substance like an ink and is applied in a thin layer similar to varnish on the entire surface of the printed circuit less on the soldering pads and it also has a role of antioxidation of the copper traces.

Being a substance with a high degree of electrical insulation, the soldering mask offers the printed circuit the possibility of having a high density of components.