EL Grades of DMSO have several functions in the electronics industry. These DMSO products have extremely low metals content, and are essential components in photoresist stripping products during the manufacture of semiconductor devices and TFT-LCD displays.

TFT-LCD manufacturing: In the photolithographic process used to pattern thin film transistors, DMSO is combined with ethanolamine and used as a powerful remover of bulk photoresist. Pure DMSO is also used in many Fab shops as a rinse solvent, a thinner (for edge cleaning), and in the rework of color filters.

Semiconductor devices: DMSO is used as a major component in bulk photoresist stripping formulations, and as an additive in specialized post-etch cleaning products and edge bead removers.

Solder Bump Patterning: As an alternative to wire bonding, a final wafer processing step produces solder bumps on the surface of a chip pad. DMSO is a useful component of stripping formulations needed to strip the photoresist which patterns the solder bumps in Flip Chip packaging technology.

Related Resources

Bulletin 102B: Solubility Guide provides an exhaustive list of DMSO solubilities for cosolvents, polymers, and additives useful to industrial formulators.

Bulletin 146: Product information and basic specifications for EL 10/ EL 50

Bulletin 165 DMSO Microelectronics applications: Provides formulation guidance and application data to support the use of DMSO in IC, TFT-LCD, and similar manufacturing processes.