Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board adapted for having surface mounted components positioned thereon including the step of selectively electroplating a thick solder layer (340) onto selected conductive projections (230). The selective electrodeposition is performed by electrolessly applying a conductive layer (310) onto the board (100) previously provided with circuit conductors (220) and conductive projections (230), providing a thick insulating mask (310) leaving exposed the selected conductive projections (230), and electroplating the thick solder layer (340). The method of manufacturing an electronic card by surface mounting of components (SMT) onto the printed circuit board (100) obtainable by the above-described method further includes the step of dispensing a flux, preferably a no-clean flux dispensed by syringe, onto the board (100), avoiding solder paste application or adhesive screening.

Abstract: A soldering method for soldering electronic components onto a copper (Cu) substrate using a tin (Sn) solder alloy. The method comprises in pretreating the Cu substrate by depositing a thin layer of zinc (Zn) before the deposition of the Sn solder alloy. This method greatly enhances the mechanical and electrical properties of the solder alloy, allowing the use of lead (Pb) free alloys such as tin-bismuth (Sn--Bi).