Decreasing Bend Radius and Improving Reliability- Part II
November 22, 2019 | Kelsey Smith, All FlexEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Application: Design guidelines to improve the flexibility and reliability of flexible circuits.
Many of the issues that arise when using a flex circuit come from a lack of knowledge about how to properly design one, especially when the circuit is required to bend. Many novices will design a circuit that calls for bending the flex in too tight of a bend radius, which can cause damage to the circuit and lower the reliability of the end product. This series of articles will focus on the seven key aspects to consider when designing for maximum durability and maximum “flexibility”. It is important to know that because flexibility is a relative term this study will instead use the term reducing bend radius. Below are two of the seven design strategies. Please see Part I and Part III for more tips!
3. Do not allow electroless copper as a seed layer prior to plating vias.
- Also, an area to be concerned about is the type of plating your vendor uses. Some copper plating requires a seed layer of electroless copper. This seed layer becomes an ED copper layer and can lead to conductor cracking. For a tight bend radius direct metallization is the preferred plating method.
4. Use only Polyimide covers in the flexing area.
- There are two options for applying dielectric material over copper:
A. Polyimide cover material: This is the preferred material in areas where parts will be bent. As a general rule, you will want to specify a dielectric thickness and adhesive thickness separately. A rule of thumb is that for every 1 ounce of copper thickness there is 1 mil of adhesive thickness.
B. Flexible Solder Mask: Flexible solder mask has a minimum bend radius of 0.4” and is not recommended for any dynamic flexing application or application where the bend radius will be tighter than 0.4”

Suggested Items
Driving Innovation: Direct Imaging vs. Conventional Exposure
07/01/2025 | Simon Khesin -- Column: Driving InnovationMy first camera used Kodak film. I even experimented with developing photos in the bathroom, though I usually dropped the film off at a Kodak center and received the prints two weeks later, only to discover that some images were out of focus or poorly framed. Today, every smartphone contains a high-quality camera capable of producing stunning images instantly.
Hands-On Demos Now Available for Apollo Seiko’s EF and AF Selective Soldering Lines
06/30/2025 | Apollo SeikoApollo Seiko, a leading innovator in soldering technology, is excited to spotlight its expanded lineup of EF and AF Series Selective Soldering Systems, now available for live demonstrations in its newly dedicated demo room.
Indium Corporation Expert to Present on Automotive and Industrial Solder Bonding Solutions at Global Electronics Association Workshop
06/26/2025 | IndiumIndium Corporation Principal Engineer, Advanced Materials, Andy Mackie, Ph.D., MSc, will deliver a technical presentation on innovative solder bonding solutions for automotive and industrial applications at the Global Electronics A
Fresh PCB Concepts: Assembly Challenges with Micro Components and Standard Solder Mask Practices
06/26/2025 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsMicro components have redefined what is possible in PCB design. With package sizes like 01005 and 0201 becoming more common in high-density layouts, designers are now expected to pack more performance into smaller spaces than ever before. While these advancements support miniaturization and functionality, they introduce new assembly challenges, particularly with traditional solder mask and legend application processes.
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Tin Whisker Mitigation in Aerospace Applications, Part 3
06/25/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileTin whiskers are slender, hair-like metallic growths that can develop on the surface of tin-plated electronic components. Typically measuring a few micrometers in diameter and growing several millimeters in length, they form through an electrochemical process influenced by environmental factors such as temperature variations, mechanical or compressive stress, and the aging of solder alloys.
Copyright © I-Connect007 | IPC Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Log in