Effect of bismuth on the growth kinetics of intermetallic compounds in Sn-3.5Ag solder joints: A growth kinetic model

The effect on the growth kinetics of the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) in solder/Cu joints, caused by adding Bi to eutectic Sn-3.5Ag solder alloy, was examined at the aging temperatures of 150°C and 180°C. The Cu₆Sn₅ layer growth was significantly enhanced, but the Cu₃Sn layer growth was slightly retarded by the addition of Bi, resulting in significant growth enhancement of the total (Cu₆Sn₅+Cu₃Sn) IMC layer with increasing Bi addition. The IMC layer growth in the Bi-containing solder joints was accompanied by the accumulation of Bi ahead of the Cu₆Sn₅ layer that resulted in the formation of a liquid layer at the Cu₆Sn₅/solder interface. A kinetic model was developed for the planar growth of the Cu₆Sn₅ and Cu₃Sn layers in the solder joints, accounting for the existence of interfacial reaction barriers. Predictions from the kinetic model showed that the experimental results could be well explained by the hypothesis that the formation of a Bi-rich liquid layer at the Cu₆Sn₅/solder interface reduces the interfacial reaction barrier at the interface.