Microtek Laboratories China has completed the first qualification testing program for IPC-4101 Validation Services for a Mainland Chinese manufacturer of copper-clad laminates and prepreg. The Qualification Testing for IPC-4101 Validation Services must be conducted at an IPC approved independent test lab. The product tested from Ventec International was the first copper-clad laminate material from Mainland China to be QPL-certified under the IPC Validation Services program for IPC-4101. The testing protocol followed the requirements of IPC-4101 for qualification specification sheet 41 for polyimide base materials.
From IPC-4101:
3.4 Qualification Testing: Laminate and prepreg base materials furnished under this specification shall be qualified as described in Table 3-1 for laminates and Table 3-2 for prepregs. The supplier shall retain on file, supporting data that the materials meet the requirements of this specification using the test methods described herein. Qualification testing shall be performed to demonstrate the supplier’s ability to meet all of the requirements of each applicable specification sheet for each base material.
The qualification tests for each base material included minimum performance characteristics such as peel strength after various conditioning steps, electrical performance, Dk/Df, physical properties, dimensional stability, moisture absorption, chemical resistance, and flammability.
According to Doug Sober, director for international sales & marketing, “This is the start of many qualification projects for IPC-4101 as high-end, base material suppliers attempt to separate their products from the rest of the commodity producers in Asia. As an IPC Validation Services qualified laboratory for IPC-4101, Microtek China is proud to be a part of this program.”