NanoFoil

User Guide
NanoFoil consists of thousands of nanoscale layers of
aluminum and nickel which react exothermally when initiated
with an energy pulse. The foil creates a self sustaining reaction
that acts as a rapid and controllable localized heat source to
melt adjoining solder layers, bonding components together. This
process is called the NanoBond.

NanoBond Process Step 3: Alignment and pressure

To ensure proper wetting of the component
Step 1: Configuring the bond interface surfaces, it is important to properly align the
structure solder, NanoFoil, and components. Apply the
NanoFoil is placed between two components proper amount of pressure to the components
that need to be bonded, along with two layers to allow the molten solder to flow and properly
of solder. wet the component surfaces. For instance,
a. Freestanding solder preforms or solder- when using components pre-wet with indium
plated foil components are used when solder, use 50 psi. A spring is recommended
components are Au-metallized, easy to wet, to apply a constant pressure throughout the
or have low thermal conductivity. joining process.
Pressure

Component 2
Solder Component 2
NanoFoil
Component 1
Solder

Component 1 Step 4: Activate the NanoFoil

The NanoFoil is designed to chemically react
and give off heat to melt the solder. The
NanoFoil can be activated with a small pulse of
b. Solder pre-wet onto the components are local energy that can be applied using optical,
used when the components are difficult to electrical, or thermal sources.
wet or have high thermal conductivity.

Component 2
Pre-wet Solder
Component 2
NanoFoil

Component 1
Component 1

Step 2: Prepare the surfaces

Component surfaces should be flat (machined
or conditioned), smooth, and clean. In
configurations where the components are not
pre-wet with solder, it is necessary to remove
the surface oxide through plating or etching. A
10% HCl solution is usually sufficient to remove
oxides from components and solder.

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2

NanoFoil User Guide

Suggested Equipment 3. Place the carbide wheel on top of the drawn line.
Below is a list of equipment that can be used to create a
4. With one hand press down on the T-square to hold
NanoBond. Equivalent equipment can be substituted, such
the NanoFoil in place.
as using a laser instead of an electrical ignition source.
5. With the other hand, roll the glass cutter up and
Equipment
down while pressing
Imada DPS-110R Digital Push/Pull Force Gauge
down firmly to cut
Imada HV-110 Vertical Wheel Stand along the drawn line.
Assembly Technologies Model 105A3 American Beauty It may take more
100W Power Unit than one pass until
Assembly Technologies Model 10552 American Beauty the NanoFoil is cut
5/64" Diameter Single Stainless Steel Handpiece completely.
Assembly Technologies Model 10519 Foot switch 6. Repeat steps 4-6
Plastic Tweezers with no sharp points until the NanoFoil is
completely cut to desired geometry.
Spring plunger (available from McMaster-Carr)
7. Pen markings can
be wiped off using
methanol.

Ignition Suggestions
Imada Digital Push/Pull
Force Gauge Power supply for ignition with Electrical Ignition
Imada Vertical Wheel single probe hand piece. To ignite the foil with a momentary point contact from
Stand
an electrical probe, 10 A and 5 V is sufficient.
To ignite the foil using ohmic heating the current must
be 100-120 A for a 15 m contact diameter and 250-
NanoFoil Cutting Procedure 300 A for a 300 m contact diameter.
Personal Protective Equipment:
Laser Ignition
Safety Glasses
Below is a table of conditions for various laser types
Leather Gloves
that will consistently ignite the NanoFoil.
Additional Supplies Needed
Glass cutter with carbide wheel Pulse Duration Spot Diameter Pulse Power
Laser Type
T-square (sec) (m) (mJ)
YAG laser: wavelength
8 x 10-9 100 >300
Procedure 1064nm, pulsed
1. Measure out and YAG laser: wavelength
draw the lines for the 8 x 10-9 50 >50
1064nm, pulsed
desired geometry on
the NanoFoil. Add YAG laser: wavelength
8 x 10-9 10 >10
a slight margin to 1064nm, pulsed
compensate for the CO2 laser: 200W, wavelength
cutting loss. It is also 3 X 10-4 100
10600 nm, continuous
advisable to make
IPG: 100 W, wavelength 1085
the larger cuts along the striations of the foil as it is 1 x 10-4 50
nm, continuous
easier to cut along the striations than against them.
IPG: 50 W, wavelength 1085
2. Place NanoFoil on a 5 x 10-4 100
nm, continuous
flat surface, preferably
a plastic cutting NanoFoil can be ignited with many other concentrated
board. Then place the energy sources such as a hot filament or flame.
T-square on top of the NanoFoil will ignite when heated to 200C at a
NanoFoil along one heating rate of 200C/min using any heating method.
of the drawn lines.
Note: If heated too slowly, the NanoFoil will anneal, losing its
ability to create a self-sustaining reaction.

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 3

Storage and Handling

Guidelines User Guide
1. Remove a piece of NanoFoil
General Safety Requirements from the package and place
Never handle NanoFoil with bare hands - always use non- it between the two soldered-
pointed tweezers or heat resistant gloves coated copper blocks. Place
When working with NanoFoil, wear safety glasses at all the NanoFoil such that there is
times. access to the NanoFoil outside
Do not use in the vicinity of solvents or flammable of the copper blocks for ignition.
items. Be careful not to drop the copper
Keep unreacted NanoFoil covered and away from the blocks on the foil, as
joining area. this can initiate a reaction.
Do not store NanoFoil in the joining area.
All unused NanoFoil must be placed in a fire-retardant 2. Place the two clamps on
bin for proper disposal. opposite sides of the copper
When bonding with NanoFoil, wear cotton gloves and blocks. This pressure will allow
long sleeve shirts to prevent burns caused by solder for solder flow and provide a
spray. strong bond.
Handling Recommendations 3. Set the clamped copper blocks
NanoFoil can be applied manually using tweezers. down, since there may be some
NanoFoil can also be handled by pick and place solder spray (the bottom of the
equipment. demo box will work well). Hold
Always transport NanoFoil in its container as the impact the igniter by the 9V battery
from falling may activate the foil. and touch the two leads to the
NanoFoil. Any unused NanoFoil
In Case of Fire should be ignited on a non-
NanoFoil will react completely and virtually flammable surface and placed in
instantaneously, generating large quantities of heat, a disposal bin when cool.
but no flame. The primary fire hazard is the ignition of
surrounding flammables. If any of the foil is in the midst of
other burning materials, use the appropriate extinguishing
agents for those materials.
Storage Material Safety Data
Shelf life is 12 months after date of shipment when Sheets
stored in its original unopened container in a cool, dry The MSDS for this product can be found online at
environment between 60 and 75F (15.5-23.5C). The http://www.indium.com/techlibrary/msds.php
location must be approved for flammable materials.
Shipping
NanoFoil is regulated by the Department of
Transportation as a hazmat material (flammable solid) and
subject to the regulations in 49 CFR. Do not ship without
proper training.

NanoFoil Activation Kit

Equipment Provided
9V battery with ignition probe
Demo instructions
Metal tweezers
Cutting Procedures
Steel wheel glass cutter
MSDS
2 sets of tin-plated copper blocks
NanoFoil User Guide
Clamps
Demo ignition video CD
10 pieces of 1.0 x 1.0 pieces of NF40 (40 micron
NanoFoil)
Safety and Handling
Always use tweezers or heat resistant gloves while
handling NanoFoil.
Wear safety glasses when working with NanoFoil.
Do not use NanoFoil in the vicinity of solvents or
flammable items.
All unused NanoFoil must be ignited before disposal.

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 Product, Technical, and Sales Support

PRODUCT SUPPORT
Product Manager
Jonathan Major
+1-315-853-4900 x2024
[email protected]

TECHNNICAL SUPPORT
Technical Manager, Americas
Paul Socha
+1-315-853-4900 x7570
[email protected]

Technical Manager, Europe

Karthik Vijayamadhavan
+44 (0)1908 580400
[email protected]

Applications Engineer
Amanda Hartnett
+1-315-853-4900 x7599
[email protected]

SALES SUPPORT
Global Sales Manager, NanoFoil and NanoBond
Jacques Matteau
+1-315-765-1148
[email protected]

Milton
Keynes


Chicago
Cheongju
Clinton
Utica
Torino
Liuzhou

Suzhou
Shenzhen

Singapore

Form No. 98563 (A4) R3

www.indium.com [email protected]

ASIA: Singapore, Cheongju: +65 6268 8678

CHINA: Suzhou, Shenzhen, Liuzhou: +86 (0)512 628 34900
EUROPE: Milton Keynes, Torino: +44 (0)1908 580400
USA: Utica, Clinton, Chicago: +1 315 853 4900
2008 Indium Corporation

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