Abstract: In one aspect, a copper foil for lamination to a dielectric substrate includes a layer deposited on a surface of the copper foil. The layer is formed from chromium and zinc ions or oxides and is treated with an aqueous solution containing at least 0.5% silane. In another aspect, a peel strength enhancement coating is disposed between a copper foil laminate and a dielectric substrate. The peel strength enhancement coating comprises a metal and metal oxide mixture containing a metal selected from groups 5B, 6B, and 7B of the periodic table of the elements. The effective thickness of the peel strength enhancement coating is that thickness capable of providing less than or equal to 10% loss of peel strength, when measured in accordance with IPC-TM-650 Method 2.4.8.5 using a ? inch wide test specimen, after being immersed in 4N HCl at about 60° C. for 6 hours.

Abstract: A needle holder that includes a fixed support member having an aperture therethrough, and a movable holding member mounted to the fixed member. The movable holding member contains a slot for receiving a needle and is movable between a first needle blank receiving position which enables receipt of said needle blank within said slot and a second needle blank holding position wherein the needle blank is held against the fixed support member.

Abstract: Surgical needles are produced by immersing a needle possessing a distal end surrounded at least in part by flash material and a body portion in an acid bath according to a predetermined sequence, wherein the distal end of the needle is exposed to the acid bath under conditions sufficient to remove flash material from the distal end of the needle and the body portion of the needle is exposed to the acid bath under conditions sufficient to provide a matte finish on at least a portion of the body portion of the needle.

Abstract: A composite material, comprising a carrier strip the carrier strip comprising a first side the first side comprising a substantially uniform roughness, an electrolytically deposited copper foil layer having opposing first and second sides and a thickness of from 0.1 micron to 15 microns and the entire metal foil layer thickness having been deposited from a copper containing alkaline electrolyte, and a release layer effective to facilitate separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier strip disposed between and contacting both the first side of the carrier strip and the second side of the metal foil layer.

Abstract: A composite material, comprising a carrier strip the carrier strip comprising a first side the first side comprising a substantially uniform roughness, an electrolytically deposited copper foil layer having opposing first and second sides and a thickness of from 0.1 micron to 15 microns and the entire metal foil layer thickness having been deposited from a copper containing alkaline electrolyte, and a release layer effective to facilitate separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier strip disposed between and contacting both the first side of the carrier strip and the second side of the metal foil layer.

Abstract: In one aspect, a copper foil for lamination to a dielectric substrate includes a layer deposited on a surface of the copper foil. The layer is formed from chromium and zinc ions or oxides and is treated with an aqueous solution containing at least 0.5% silane. In another aspect, a peel strength enhancement coating is disposed between a copper foil laminate and a dielectric substrate. The peel strength enhancement coating comprises a metal and metal oxide mixture containing a metal selected from groups 5B, 6B, and 7B of the periodic table of the elements. The effective thickness of the peel strength enhancement coating is that thickness capable of providing less than or equal to 10% loss of peel strength, when measured in accordance with IPC-TM-650 Method 2.4.8.5 using a ⅛ inch wide test specimen, after being immersed in 4N HCl at about 60° C. for 6 hours.

Abstract: A composite material includes a structural carrier layer and a relatively thin metal foil layer separated by a release layer. The release layer, that may be an admixture of a metal such as nickel or chromium and a non-metal such as chromium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium phosphate or nickel phosphate, provides a peel strength for the metal foil layer from the carrier strip that is typically on the order of 0.1 pound per inch to 2 pounds per inch. This provides sufficient adhesion to prevent premature separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier layer, but easy removal of the carrier layer when desired. Typically, the metal foil layer is subsequently bonded to a dielectric and the carrier layer then removed. The metal foil layer is then imaged into circuit features in the manufacture of printed circuit boards and flexible circuits.

Abstract: A composite material, comprising a carrier strip the carrier strip comprising a first side the first side comprising a substantially uniform roughness, an electrolytically deposited copper foil layer having opposing first and second sides and a thickness of from 0.1 micron to 15 microns and the entire metal foil layer thickness having been deposited from a copper containing alkaline electrolyte, and a release layer effective to facilitate separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier strip disposed between and contacting both the first side of the carrier strip and the second side of the metal foil layer.

Abstract: A composite material includes a structural carrier layer and a relatively thin metal foil layer separated by a release layer. The release layer, that may be an admixture of a metal such as nickel or chromium and a non-metal such as chromium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium phosphate or nickel phosphate, provides a peel strength for the metal foil layer from the carrier strip that is typically on the order of 0.1 pound per inch to 2 pounds per inch. This provides sufficient adhesion to prevent premature separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier layer, but easy removal of the carrier layer when desired. Typically, the metal foil layer is subsequently bonded to a dielectric and the carrier layer then removed. The metal foil layer is then imaged into circuit features in the manufacture of printed circuit boards and flexible circuits.

Abstract: A composite material includes a structural carrier layer and a relatively thin metal foil layer separated by a release layer. The release layer, that may be an admixture of a metal such as nickel or chromium and a non-metal such as chromium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium phosphate or nickel phosphate, provides a peel strength for the metal foil layer from the carrier strip that is typically on the order of 0.1 pound per inch to 2 pounds per inch. This provides sufficient adhesion to prevent premature separation of the metal foil layer from the carrier layer, but easy removal of the carrier layer when desired. Typically, the metal foil layer is subsequently bonded to a dielectric and the carrier layer then removed. The metal foil layer is then imaged into circuit features in the manufacture of printed circuit boards and flexible circuits.