As plasma surface treatment solution specialists, the question we hear most often is: "Which of your products can replace Sakura's model XX?"—referring to plasma treatment indicator cards. Today, this article cuts through the jargon and tells you directly how these products help solve your process validation challenges, and how to perfectly replace Japan's Sakura (PLAZMARK) equivalent models in the domestic market.
Core Matching Logic
Sakura's product segmentation logic is essentially built on three dimensions: gas type, temperature tolerance, and form factor/application scenario. Our A/B/C/D series are precisely matched to these same three dimensions.
1. Type A (for O₂/Ar cleaning) ↔ Sakura O₂/Ar Standard Cleaning Series
Applications:Electronics industry (wire bonding, flip-chip surface modification, pre-underfill cleaning), pre-plating surface modification, pre-bonding cleaning for LSI/memory/MEMS/LED.
Features: Compatible with radical-based plasmas such as O₂, N₂, Air, CF₄, NH₃, and Ar (also suitable for UV cleaning and ozone cleaning). Self-adhesive backing; label dimensions only 20×70 mm (reactive area ≤11 mm).
2. Type B (Atmospheric Plasma Type) ↔ Sakura Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Series
Applications:PCB manufacturing, FPD manufacturing, film processing, and other large-area continuous treatment applications.
Features:Strip design (label dimensions 50×280 mm, reactive area 15×250 mm), specifically engineered for conveyor line speeds (e.g., 300 mm/sec to 25 mm/sec) and atmospheric-pressure jet equipment. Available in B1 (high sensitivity) and B2 (low sensitivity).
3. Type C (Heat-Resistant Type) ↔ Sakura Heat-Resistant Label Type (No.101/102)
Applications:High-temperature process environments (e.g., semiconductor front-end processes).
Features:The color-changing portion uses inorganic materials, with a PI (polyimide) substrate; the adhesive backing withstands temperatures up to 200°C. Compatible with demanding gases such as Ar, O₂, H₂, CF₄, SF₆, and Cl₂.
Core advantage:Type C indicator cards exhibit a strong correlation with plasma electron density, enabling precise correspondence between color difference and electron density. This is the only matching alternative to Sakura's heat-resistant models. Available in C1 (high sensitivity) and C2 (low sensitivity).
4. Type D (Distribution Detection) ↔ Sakura In-Plane Uniformity Detection Sheet
Applications:In-chamber in-plane uniformity testing, inter-layer difference detection.
Features: Large-format sheet (210×280 mm, reactive area 200×250 mm) that can be freely attached to substrate surfaces or equipment interiors. After treatment, in-plane uniformity is immediately visible.
What Other Pain Points Can Our Products Solve?
1. Understand Machine-to-Machine Variation and Parameter Settings—Avoid Blind Adjustment
The indicator is dark purple before treatment and turns green when the treatment is sufficient. If the color changes to dark green (non-conforming), it indicates insufficient treatment conditions, and parameters should be adjusted. Regular use of indicator cards allows you to confirm post-maintenance equipment performance and understand machine-to-machine and within-machine variation. Everything at a glance.
2. Flexible Material for Dead-Zone-Free Detection
The product is flexible and can be freely attached to substrate surfaces, 3D product surfaces, or equipment interiors. It can measure not only planar uniformity but also detect abnormal discharge.
3. Customization and Data Traceability
We also offer a customization service unique in the industry: self-adhesive backing, configurable QR code traceability, and even sensitivity adjustment tailored to specific customer equipment and process requirements.
Procurement and Selection Pitfall Guide
1. Temperature Matching:
- Processes below 100°C: Use Type A, B, or D directly.
- Processes above 100°C and below 200°C: Type C (heat-resistant) must be used; standard indicator cards will fail and discolor.
2. Sensitivity Selection:
Start with high-sensitivity types (A1/B1/C1/D1). If the color change is overly saturated (depth variation becomes indistinguishable), reduce sensitivity.
3. Coordination with Existing Methods:
The color-change range of indicator cards varies depending on the customer's equipment, gas, flow rate, treatment time, and power level. Therefore, when switching to domestic alternatives, always have the customer conduct a small-batch comparison test on their own equipment to confirm the appropriate sensitivity.
4. Storage Requirements:
Do not store in direct sunlight or high-temperature, high-humidity environments (must be below 30°C). Keep away from acids, bases, and oxidizing/reducing agents. Shelf life is twelve months when sealed in aluminum foil packaging.
Conclusion
From "temperature-sensitive paper" and "color-change paper" to the professional "plasma treatment indicator card," confusion over naming should not become an obstacle to process validation. Benchmarking against Sakura, our A/B/C/D matrix not only achieves precise "one-to-one" replacement across application scenarios but also offers a superior domestic solution in terms of data-driven capability, customization, and overall cost.
