What are TCA connectors?

By Amy Goetzman | August 13, 2024

What are TCA connectors?

Meet the Connector: TCA Connectors

TCA connectors, or thermal compression anisotropic (TCA) connectors, are technically not connectors, but rather a termination technique. This seldom-used process was devised in the 1970s for use in electronics and telecommunications applications. TCA connectors use a liquid strip or solid pad of conductive material to create a solid-state bond. The technique can be used with a variety of connector types. “To attach a very high-density connector with this process, you would lay a strip of this adhesive pad or liquid across all contacts horizontally, then lay a corresponding pad across the top. AMP did some work with it to explore its properties but found it was largely impractical. It is a ‘connector oddity,’ a very niche of a niche,” said technologist Robert Hult, who worked for AMP (now TE Connectivity).

Thermal compression bonding was first developed in the 1960s and ‘70s as a means of bonding metallic materials without the need for solder. Early applications were primarily in the aerospace and defense industries, where high-reliability connections were essential. TCA connectors are an important development in the evolution of miniaturized electronics.

Shin-Etsu’s SEC type Inter-Connector is a zebra-type interconnector that uses a strip of conductive silicone rubber to create low resistance conductivity in a process that is derives from TCA connectivity.

Design Notes

TCA connectors are mainly used in custom designs and require skilled operators to properly assemble.

Standardization

An unrelated interconnect technology that shares an acronym, the MicroTCA is a modular, open standard for building high performance switched fabric computer systems in a small form factor. MicroTCA is a system architecture specification rather than a specific type of connector and typically do not use thermal compression.

Material specifications

A variety of highly conductive materials are used in TCA connectors, including gold, copper, silver, and nickel. Adhesives, bonding materials, and films are used.

Anisotropic Conductive Film (ACF): A thin layer of film with conductive particles that is applied between surfaces to facilitate conductivity.
Anisotropic Conductive Adhesives (ACA): Adhesives that provide conductivity in one direction, used in conjunction with TCA technologies.

Markets and Applications

Typically limited to custom designs.

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Author
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Amy Goetzman

Managing Editor at ConnectorSupplier.com

Amy Goetzman has followed the connector industry since the 1990s, when she helped Alice Tanghe edit the Inside Line, an early and influential electronics hardware publication. She joined Connector Supplier as managing editor and content creator in 2017. Reach her with questions and story ideas at [email protected].