Patent ID: 8491803
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method of hydrophobizing a nozzle plate of a printhead integrated circuit, said method comprising the steps of: (a) depositing a hydrophobic polymeric layer onto said nozzle plate; (b) depositing a protective metal film onto said hydrophobic polymeric layer; (c) depositing a sacrificial material onto said metal film; (d) patterning said sacrificial material; (e) etching through said metal film, said hydrophobic polymeric layer and said nozzle plate to define nozzle openings in said nozzle plate; (f) performing MEMS processing steps on a backside of said printhead integrated circuit; (g) subjecting said printhead integrated circuit to an oxidizing plasma, wherein said metal film protects said hydrophobic polymeric layer from said oxidizing plasma; and (h) removing said protective metal film, thereby providing a printhead integrated circuit having a relatively hydrophobic nozzle plate with nozzle openings defined therein.