Surface treatment of a molybdenum screening mask

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Abstract, Disclosed is a method of treating the surface of a molybdenum mask used for screening a metallized paste pattern to render it smooth and preserve the mask's hardness. The treatment consists of subjecting the mask to a nitridation step by which an ultrathin layer of molybdenum layer is first formed followed by, deposition of a comparatively thick silicon nitride layer thereon. The nitridation step may be accomplished in a plasma deposition system using either forming gas, ammonia or gas mixture of nitrogen and ammonia at a predetermined low temperature and pressure. The silicon nitride deposition may be accomplished in the same system at the same temperature and pressure by …