Patent ID: 8737089

Claim:
A lead frame comprising: a base made of stainless steel or carbon steel, wherein the base has a thickness defined between a first side and a second side located opposite to the first side of the base, a first side of at least one barrier layer applied to the first side of the base, wherein the at least one barrier layer has a thickness defined between the first side of the at least one barrier layer and a second side of the at least one barrier layer located opposite to the first side of the at least one barrier laver, wherein the at least one barrier layer is made of another metal or alloy, and a first plating layer deposited onto the second side of the first barrier layer opposite to the base, wherein the first plating layer is an outermost layer of the lead frame and is made of tin or tin/lead; a first side of a second barrier layer applied to the second side of the base, wherein the second barrier layer has a thickness defined between the first side of the second barrier layer and a second side of the second barrier layer; a second plating layer deposited onto the second side of the second barrier layer opposite to the base.