Comparison of electroplated eutectic Bi/Sn and Pb/Sn solder bumpson various UBM systems

The effect of a reflow process and under bump metallurgy (UBM) systems on the growth of intermetallic compounds (IMC) of the 57Bi/43Sn and 37Pb/63Sn solder bump/UBM interfaces was investigated. The selected UBM systems were sputtered Al/Ti/Cu, sputtered Al/NiV/Cu, Al/electroless Ni/immersion Au, and Al/Ti/electroless Cu. An alloy electroplating method was used for the solder bumping process. The microstructure and composition of intermetallic compound (IMC) phases and their morphologies were examined using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The Cu₆Sn₅ η'-phase IMC appeared on all Cu containing UBM cases with Pb/Sn and Bi/Sn solders and the Cu ₃Sn ϵ-phase was detected only with Pb/Sn solder bumps. The Ni₃Sn₄ IMC was found to be the main IMC phase between Ni and solder. The Ni₃Sn secondary IMC was also detected on the electroless Ni UBM with PbSn solder after ten times reflow. Through the bump shear test, Al/NiV/Cu, Al/elNi/Au, and Al/Ti/elCu UBMs showed good stability with Bi/Sn and Pb/Sn solder in terms of metallurgical aspects     

Shear strength and fracture surface analysis of Sn58Bi/Cu solder joints under a wide range of strain rates

The influences of the strain rate on the shear strength and failure mode of Sn58Bi/Cu solder joints were investigated. After reflowing, some Kirkendall voids were observed at the neighborhood of the Cu₃Sn/Cu interface or in the inner Cu₃Sn layer. In addition, another type of void could also be observed inside the Sn58Bi eutectic solders, and its size was much larger than that of Kirkendall voids. Some Bi particles were obviously found to segregate at the interface between the Cu-Sn IMC and the Sn58Bi solder. The single lap shear test results indicated that the strain rate had an important influence on the shear strength and failure mode of Sn58Bi/Cu solder joints. The shear strength of joints demonstrated increment at first and then decrement as the strain rate increased from 3.33 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ to 3.33 s⁻¹. It was observed that all Sn58Bi/Cu solder joints broke in a mixed-type fracture mode under a wide range of strain rates. Additionally, more broken IMC grains were exposed on the fracture face and more fracture occurred within the IMC layer with increasing strain rate. Furthermore, the fracture path gradually moved from the solder side to the inner IMC side as the strain rate increased.     

无铅焊点在热疲劳和电迁移作用下的组织演变

研究了Cu/Sn-58Bi/Cu焊点接头在室温和55℃下通电过程中阴极和阳极界面处微观组织的演变,电流密度均采用104A/cm2。结果表明,室温条件下通电达到25 d,Bi原子由阴极向阳极发生了扩散迁移,在阳极界面处形成了厚度约22.4μm的均匀Bi层,而阴极出现了Sn的聚集。加载55℃通电2 d后,焊点发生了熔融,阴极界面处形成了厚度为34.3μm的扇贝状IMC,而阳极界面IMC的厚度仅为9.7μm。在IMC层和钎料基体之间形成了厚度约7.5μm的Bi层,它的形成阻碍了Sn原子向阳极界面的扩散迁移,进而阻碍了阳极界面IMC的生长,导致了异常极化效应的出现。     

Electromigration behavior in Cu/Sn-8Zn-3Bi/Cu solder joint

Electromigration behavior in a one-dimensional Cu/Sn-8Zn-3Bi/Cu solder joint structure was investigated in ambient with a current density of 3.5 × 10⁴ A/cm² at 60 °C. Due to the compressive stress induced by volume expansion resulting from Cu-Zn intermetallic compound (IMC) growth, Cu₅Zn₈ IMC layers were squeezed out continuously along IMC/Cu interfaces at both the anode and the cathode with increasing the current stressing time, which was not only driven by the concentration gradient, but also accelerated by the electromigration. And a few voids propagated and formed at the anode and the cathode solder/IMC interfaces during electromigration. Additionally, Sn hillocks occurred in the bulk solder, and Sn hillocks formed at the anode side were larger than those at the cathode side.     

An investigation of the reliability of solderable ICA with low-melting-point alloy (LMPA) filler

Conductive adhesives play a major role in the electronic packaging industry as an alternative to solder due to their potential advantages that include mild processing conditions and superior thermo-mechanical performance. In a conductive adhesive interconnection, adequate mechanical and electrical performance and long-term reliability are critical.In this paper, the reliability of solderable isotropic conductive adhesive (ICA) interconnections was investigated. Reliability testing was performed via thermal shock (−55 to 125 °C, 1000 cycles) and high-temperature and high-humidity tests (85 °C, 85% RH, 1000 h). The interfacial microstructure of the solderable ICA was also investigated. Additionally, the fracture mode was investigated via mechanical pull strength testing before and after the reliability test. The electrical resistance of the solderable ICA interconnection showed improved stability compared to conventional ICAs, and similar stability to conventional solder paste (Sn–3Ag–0.5Cu and Sn–58Bi) due to the metallurgical interconnection formed by the molten LMPA fillers between the corresponding metallization layers. After the reliability tests, the grown IMC layer was composed of Cu₆Sn₅ (η-phase) and Cu₃Sn (ε-phase), and the scallop-type IMC transformed into a layer-type IMC. The fracture propagated along the Cu–Sn IMC/SnBi interface and the fracture surface showed a semi-brittle fracture mode mixed with cleavage and ductile tear bands.     

The effect of Ag content on the formation of Ag3Sn plates in Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder

The formation of Ag₃Sn plates in the Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder joints for two different Ag content solder balls was investigated in wafer level chip scale packages (WLCSPs). After an appropriate surface mount technology reflow process on a printed circuit board, samples were subjected to 150°C high-temperature storage (HTS), 1,000 h aging, or 1,000 cycles thermal cycling test (TCT). Sequentially, the cross-sectional analysis was scrutinized using a scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDX) to observe the metallurgical evolution of the amount of the Ag₃Sn plates at the interface and the solder bulk itself. Pull and shear tests were also performed on samples. It was found that the interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) thickness, the overall IMC area, and the numbers of Ag₃Sn plates increase with increasing HTS and TCT cycles. The amount of large Ag₃Sn plates found in the Sn-4.0Ag-0.5 Cu solder balls is much greater than that found in the Sn-2.6Ag-0.5Cu solder balls; however, no significant difference was found in the joint strength between two different Ag content solder joints.     

Investigation of the Growth of Intermetallic Compounds Between Cu Pillars and Solder Caps

In flip chip applications, Cu pillars with solder caps are regarded as next-generation electronic interconnection technology, because of high input/output density. However, because of diffusion and reaction of Sn and Cu during the high-temperature reflow process, intermetallic compounds (IMC) are formed, and grow, at the interface between the cap and the pillar. Understanding the growth behavior of interfacial IMC is critical in the design of solder interconnections, because excessive growth of IMC can reduce the reliability of connections. In this study, the growth of IMC during thermal cycling, an accelerated method of testing the service environment of electronic devices, was studied by use of focused ion beam–scanning electron microscopy. Under alternating high and low-temperature extremes, growth of Cu₆Sn₅ (η-phase) and Cu₃Sn (ε-phase) IMC was imaged and measured as a function of the number of cycles. The total IMC layer grew significantly thicker but became more uniform during thermal cycling. The Cu₃Sn layer was initially thinner than the Cu₆Sn₅ layer but outgrew the Cu₆Sn₅ layer after 1000 cycles. It was found that, with limited Cu and Sn diffusion, consumption of Cu₆Sn₅ for growth of the Cu₃Sn layer can result in a thinner Cu₆Sn₅ layer after thermal cycling.     

Interfacial reactions and shear strengths between Sn-Ag-based Pb-free solder balls and Au/EN/Cu metallization

The morphological and compositional evolutions of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) formed at three Pb-free solder/electroless Ni-P interface were investigated with respect to the solder compositions and reflow times. The three Pb-free solder alloys were Sn3.5Ag, Sn3.5Ag0.75Cu, and Sn3Ag6Bi2In (in wt.%). After reflow reaction, three distinctive layers, Ni₃Sn₄ (or Ni-Cu-Sn for Sn3.5Ag0.75Cu solder), NiSnP, and Ni₃P, were formed on the electroless Ni-P layer in all the solder alloys. For the Sn3.5Ag0.75Cu solder, with increasing reflow time, the interfacial intermetallics switched from (Cu,Ni)₆Sn₅ to (Cu,Ni)₆Sn₅+(Ni,Cu)₃Sn₄, and then to (Ni,Cu)₃Sn₄ IMCs. The degree of IMC spalling for the Sn3.5Ag0.75Cu solder joint was more than that of other solders. In the cases of the Sn3.5Ag and Sn3Ag6Bi2In solder joints, the growth rate of the Ni₃P layer was similar because these two type solder joints had a similar interfacial reaction. On the other hand, for the Sn3.5Ag0.75Cu solder, the thickness of the Ni₃P and Ni-Sn-P layers depended on the degree of IMC spalling. Also, the shear strength showed various characteristics depending on the solder alloys and reflow times. The fractures mainly occurred at the interfaces of Ni₃Sn₄/Ni-Sn-P and solder/Ni₃Sn₄.     

Effects on Undercooling and Interfacial Reactions with Cu Substrates of Adding Bi and In to Sn-3Ag Solder

This study investigated the effects of adding Bi and In to Sn-3Ag Pb-free solder on undercooling, interfacial reactions with Cu substrates, and the growth kinetics of intermetallic compounds (IMCs). The amount of Sn dominates the undercooling, regardless of the amount or species of further additives. The interfacial IMC that formed in Sn-Ag-Bi-In and Sn-In-Bi solders is Cu₆Sn₅, while that in Sn-Ag-In solders is Cu₆(Sn,In)₅, since Bi enhances the solubility of In in Sn matrices. The activation energy for the growth of IMCs in Sn-Ag-Bi-In is nearly double that in Sn-Ag-In solders, because Bi in the solder promotes Cu dissolution. The bright particles that form inside the Sn-Ag-In bulk solders are the ζ-phase.     

Effects of Trace Amounts of Rare Earth Additions on Microstructure and Properties of Sn-Bi-Based Solder Alloy

The effect of trace amounts of rare earth additions on the microstructure and properties were studied for the Sn-58Bi and Sn-58Bi-Ag solder alloys. At the same time, the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) in the solder alloys and intermetallic layer (IML) thickness at the solder/Cu substrate interface were investigated, both as-reflowed and after high-temperature aging. The results indicate that adding trace amounts of rare earth (RE) elements has little influence on the melting temperature and microhardness of the solders investigated, but adding RE elements improves the wettability and shear strength of the Sn-58Bi and Sn-58Bi-Ag solder alloys. In addition, it was found that the addition of RE elements not only refines the microstructure and size of the IMC particles, but also decreases the IML thickness and shear strength of the Sn-58Bi solder joint after high-temperature aging. Adding trace amounts of RE elements is superior to adding trace amounts of Ag for improving the properties of the Sn-58Bi solder. The reason may be related to the modification of the microstructure of the solder alloys due to the addition of trace amounts of RE elements.     

陶瓷封装倒装焊器件Sn-Pb微焊点的电迁移行为

高密度陶瓷封装倒装焊器件的焊点尺寸已降低至100μm以下,焊点电流密度达到10~4 A/cm~2以上,由此引发的电迁移失效成为不可忽视的问题。以陶瓷封装菊花链倒装焊器件为研究对象,开展了Sn10Pb90、Sn63Pb37焊点热电环境可靠性评估试验,通过电连接检测及扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等方法对焊点互连情况进行分析。结果表明,Sn63Pb37焊点阴极侧金属间化合物(IMC)增长明显,表现出明显的极化现象,IMC厚度的平方与通电时间呈线性关系。通电时间达到576 h后Sn63Pb37焊点阴极侧产生微裂纹,而Sn10Pb90焊点在通电576 h后仍未出现异常,表现出优异的电迁移可靠性。研究结果对于直径100μm微焊点的陶瓷封装倒装焊器件的应用具有重要的意义。     

Failure Mechanisms of Thermomechanically Loaded SnAgCu/Plastic Core Solder Ball Composite Joints in Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic/Printed Wiring Board Assemblies

The thermal fatigue endurance of completely lead-free 95.5Sn4Ag0.7Cu/plastic core solder ball (PCSB) composite joint structures in low-temperature Co-fired ceramic/printed wiring board (LTCC/PWB) assemblies was investigated using thermal cycling tests over the temperature ranges of −40°C–125°C and 0°C–100°C. Two separate creep/fatigue failures initiated and propagated in the joints during the tests: (1) a crack along the intermetallic compound (IMC)/solder interface on the LTCC side of the joint, which formed at the high-temperature extremes; and (2) a crack in the solder near the LTCC solder land, which formed at the low-temperature extremes. Moreover, localized recrystallization was detected at the outer edge of the joints that were tested in the harsh (−40°C–125°C) test conditions. The failure mechanism was creep/fatigue-induced mixed intergranular and transgranular cracking in the recrystallized zone, but it was dominated by transgranular thermal fatigue failure beyond the recrystallized zone. The change in the failure mechanism increased the rate of crack growth. When the lower temperature extreme was raised from −40°C to 0°C, no recrystallized zone was detected and the failure was due to intergranular cracks. (Received ...; accepted ...)     

Isothermal aging characteristics of Sn–Pb micro solder bumps

The shear strength of the under bump metallurgy (UBM) structure in both the high-melting solder bump and low-melting solder bump after aging were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were examined in the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and bump joint profiles at the interface between solder and UBM. In 900 h aging experiments, the maximum shear strength of Sn–97wt.%Pb and Sn–37wt.%Pb decreased by 25% and 20%, respectively. The growth of Cu₆Sn₅ and Cu₃Sn was ascertained by the aging treatment. The crack path changes from the interior of a solder to the IMC interface. Compare with the Cu–Sn IMC, the amount of Ni–Sn IMC was small. The Ni layer is considered as the diffusion barrier.     

Ni颗粒对SnBi焊点电迁移的抑制作用

为抑制芯片中微小焊点的电迁移,向共晶SnBi钎料中添加微米级Ni颗粒,并在φ0.5mm铜线接头上形成焊点。结果表明:当电流密度为104A/cm2、通电96h后,阳极附近没有出现富Bi层,即电迁移现象得到抑制。这是由于Ni颗粒与Sn形成了IMC,阻挡了Bi沿Sn基体扩散的快速通道,防止了两相分离,提高了焊点可靠性。     

添加Sb和LaB6对Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/Cu界面IMC生长的影响

研究了Sb和稀土化合物的添加对Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu无铅焊料焊接界面金属间化合物层生长的影响。研究结果表明,固态反应阶段界面化合物层的生长快慢排序如下:v(SAC0.4Sb0.1LaB6/Cu)v(SAC0.4Sb/Cu)v(SAC0.1LaB6/Cu)v(SAC/Cu)。计算各种界面IMC生长的激活能Q结果表明,Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/Cu界面IMC生长的激活能最高,为92.789 kJ,其他焊料合金Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu0.4Sb0.1LaB6/Cu,Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu0.1LaB6/Cu和Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu0.4Sb/Cu界面IMC生长的激活能分别为85.14,84.91和75.57 kJ。在老化温度范围内(≤190℃),Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu0.4Sb0.1LaB6/Cu的扩散系数(D)最小,因而其界面化合物的生长速率最慢。     

Mechanical properties of intermetallic compounds associated with Pb-free solder joints using nanoindentation

Mechanical properties of intermetallic compound (IMC) phases in Pb-free solder joints were obtained using nanoindentation testing (NIT). The elastic modulus and hardness were determined for IMC phases associated with insitu FeSn particle reinforced and mechanically added, Cu particle-reinforced, composite solder joints. The IMC layers that formed around Cu particle reinforcement and at the Cu substrate/solder matrix interface were probed with NIT. Moduli and hardness values obtained by NIT revealed were noticeably higher for Cu-rich Cu₃Sn than those of Cu₆Sn₅. The Ag₃Sn platelets that formed during reflow were also examined for eutectic Sn-Ag solder column joints. The indentation modulus of Ag₃Sn platelets was significantly lower than that of FeSn, SnCuNi, and CuSn IMCs. Indentation creep properties were assessed in localized microstructure regions of the as-cast, eutectic Sn-Ag solder. The stress exponent, n, associated with secondary creep differed widely depending on the microstructure feature probed by the indenter tip.     

Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu和Sn37Pb焊点界面显微结构研究

利用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和透射电子显微镜（TEM）研究了Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu（Sn37Pb）/Cu焊点在时效过程中的界面金属间化合物（IMC）形貌和成份。结果表明：150℃高温时效50、100、200、500h后,Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu（Sn37Pb）/Cu焊点界面IMC尺寸和厚度增加明显,IMC颗粒间的沟槽越来越小。50h时效后界面出现双层IMC结构,靠近焊料的上层为Cu6Sn5,邻近基板的下层为Cu3Sn。之后利用透射电镜观察了Sn37Pb/Ni和Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu/Ni样品焊点界面,结果显示,焊点界面清晰,IMC晶粒明显。     

Microstructure and shear strength of Sn37Pb/Cu solder joints subjected to isothermal aging

The effects of isothermal aging on the microstructure and shear strength of Sn37Pb/Cu solder joints were investigated. Single-lap shear solder joints of eutectic Sn37Pb solder were aged for 1–10 days at 120 °C and 170 °C, respectively, and then loaded to failure in shear with a constant loading speed of 5 × 10⁻³ mm/s. The growth of the interfacial Cu–Sn intermetallic compounds (IMC) layer (Cu₆Sn₅ + Cu₃Sn) of Sn37Pb/Cu solder joints subjected to isothermal aging exhibited a linear function of the square root of aging time, indicating that the formation of Cu–Sn IMC was mainly controlled by the diffusion mechanism. And the diffusion coefficient (D) values of IMC layer were 1.07 × 10⁻¹⁷ and 3.72 × 10⁻¹⁷ m²/s for aged solder joints at 120 °C and 170 °C, respectively. Shear tests results revealed that as-reflowed solder joint had better shear strength than the aged solder joints and the shear strength of all aged solder joints decreased with increasing aging time. The presence of elongated dimple-like structures on the fracture surfaces of these as-reflowed or aged for short time solder joints were indicative of a ductile failure mode. As aging time further increased, the solder joints fractured in the mixed solder/IMC mode at the solder/IMC interface.     

La对Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu钎料界面组织和性能的影响

通过SEM和EDAX等,研究了La添加量对Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu钎料与Cu基体焊合界面IMC微观组织及性能的影响。结果表明:添加不同量的La均对Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu与Cu基体焊合后的组织有细化作用并增强其力学性能。其中以w(La)达到0.05%时最优,剪切强度可提高10.7%。材料热力学理论计算结果表明,La具有"亲Sn"倾向,添加少量La到Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu钎料中,可减小Cu6Sn5/Cu界面Sn的活度,降低IMC的长大驱动力。     

热处理对96.5Sn3.5Ag焊点中Cu-Sn合金层的影响

在焊点与铜基之间形成的Ｃｕ－Ｓｎ合金成分对表面安装器件的疲劳寿命起着关键性的作用。本文着重研究了９３．５Ｓｎ３．５Ａｇ（简写为Ｓｎ－Ａｇ）焊料与Ｃｕ基界面间形成的合金层,通过电子扫描显微镜（ＳＥＭ）,Ｘ衍射（ＸＤＡ）及能谱Ｘ射线（ＥＤＸ）等分析发现,在Ｓｎ－Ａｇ与Ｃｕ基界面上存在Ｃｕ６Ｓｎ５及Ｃｕ３Ｓｎ两种合金成分,且随着热处理时间增加,Ｃｕ６Ｓｎ５合金层增厚,并在该处容易出现裂纹而导致焊点强度减弱,从而使焊点产生疲劳失效。