Interfacial reactions in the Sn-(Cu)/Ni,Sn-(Ni)/Cu,and Sn/(Cu,Ni) systems

Specimens with the Sn/Cu/Sn/Ni/Sn/Cu/Sn structure reacted at 200°C are prepared and examined. The Cu₆Sn₅ and Cu₃Sn phases are formed at the Sn/Cu interface, and the Cu₆Sn₅ and Ni₃Sn₄ phases at the Sn/Ni interface. The reaction path in the original Cu/Sn/Ni part of the specimen is Cu/Cu₃Sn/Cu₆Sn₅/Sn/Cu₆Sn₅/Ni₃Sn₄/Ni. The peculiar phenomenon of the Cu₆Sn₅ phase forming at both sides of the Sn phase is illustrated using the Sn-Cu-Ni phase diagram with a very wide compositional-homogeneity range of the Cu₆Sn₅ phase. Interfacial reactions at 240°C between pure Sn and (Cu,Ni) alloys of various compositions are determined. The Cu₆Sn₅ phase is formed when the NI content is less than 30 wt.%, and the Ni₃Sn₄ phase is formed when the Ni content is higher than 40 wt.%. When the Ni content is between 35 wt.% and 40 wt.%, both Cu₆Sn₅ and Ni₃Sn₄ phases are formed. It is also noticed that the formation of the Cu₃Sn phase at the Sn/(Cu,Ni) interface is suppressed with more than 1wt.%Ni addition in the substrate.