Indium Corporation, an international electronics materials refiner, smelter, manufacturer, and supplier, has acquired Iowa-based SAFI-Tech, a metal microcapsule technology innovator specializing in supercooling technology. The acquisition expands the former’s product portfolio of low-temperature products including its traditional bismuth- and indium-containing alloys, new Bi+, and Durafuse LT technology for high reliability.
The acquisition follows an established, mutually beneficial partnership between the two companies. Last year, they jointly launch a supercooled BiSn solder paste using SAFI-Tech’s solder platform. This patented technology platform allows molten metal to remain liquid far below its freezing point by encapsulating it in a smooth shell—known as supercooling. The shell of these microcapsules can be removed using a traditional flux and reflow process, or by mechanically crushing a powder of supercooled liquid metal microcapsules. Using this platform, industry-standard alloys such as SAC305 can be soldered at below typical low-temperature solder (LTS) specifications, while other alloys can be soldered at temperatures as low as ambient.
“SAFI-Tech’s supercooling platform is an exciting addition to our award-winning product portfolio, allowing us to deliver next-generation soldering materials,” said Ross Berntson, President and COO of Indium Corporation. “This innovation has far-reaching potential and embedding SAFI-Tech into Indium Corporation gives it the opportunity to succeed widely and quickly.”
In addition to acquiring the Iowa-based company, Indium Corporation will also benefit from SAFI-Tech’s co-founder, co-inventor, and President Dr. Ian Tevis joining the company as an R&D Manager. In this role, Dr. Tevis oversees a team dedicated to application technology and manages the ongoing research and design of SAFI-Tech supercooled products.
“As a key partner to SAFI-Tech over the past five years, we have witnessed Indium Corporation’s position as an industry leader first-hand,” said Dr. Tevis. “We are confident that the company’s state-of-the-art facilities, network of customers and equipment suppliers, and talented team members will accelerate our work in bringing supercooled solder to a worldwide audience.”
Originating from Iowa State University with the discovery of no-heat and low-heat solder and metallic joining products, SAFI-Tech was founded in 2016 by Dr. Tevis and Dr. Martin Thuo. It was backed by Rhapsody Venture Partners.
