Preparation of Permalloy Thin Film by Electroless Plating
Stable and Consistent composition
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What is permalloy?
Permalloy is an alloy consisting of Ni and Fe, known on a highly magnetic permeable property. This characteristics is suitable for magnetic heads of hard disks, acoustic equipment, iron cores of measuring instruments, sensors and magnetic shielding materials. The highest magnetic permeability is achieved with 80% of nickel content, called Permalloy A or PC Permalloy.
Various methods for permalloy thin film preparation
There are several methods for preparing permalloy thin films. The sputtering method can form a thin film of uniform alloy composition on most materials, but the film thickness on the sides of workpieces becomes thinner. The electrolytic plating method requires conductivity on materials. Also, in general, thickness uniformity is poor.
An electroless plating, on the other hand, can form a film with uniform thickness regardless of the shapes of workpieces. In addition, film formation is applicable on any materials through a pretreatment process with catalyzing.
Technology breakthrough to achieve excellent bath stability
In conventional electroless permalloy plating processes, unstable ferrous ion (II) is used as the iron source, resulting in poor bath stability and inconsistent deposition rate and alloy composition.
On the other hand, in the electroless permalloy plating bath developed by us, the use of stable ferric ion (III) is realized as the iron source. This technology breakthrough enables to prepare permalloy film with consistent alloy composition. 
Electroless permalloy plating bath
- ・ PC permalloy composition (Fe:Ni=20:80) is prepared
・ The use of ferric ion (III) realizes excellent bath stability over time
・ Magnetic permeability of permalloy film 410@1MHz
・ Continuous operation with consistent alloy composition is available through proper dosing based on analysis of bath components
SEM image of electroless permalloy film
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