ENIG offers several advantages, including:
- Excellent flat surface for component placement
- Long shelf life (up to 12 months)
- Compatibility with various soldering processes
- Uniform thickness across the board
- Suitability for fine-pitch components and wire bonding
However, ENIG can be more expensive than some other finishes and may be susceptible to “black pad” syndrome if not properly controlled. Despite these challenges, ENIG remains a popular choice for high-reliability applications in aerospace, telecommunications, and medical electronics.