The effect of power cycling on the reliability of lead-free surfacemount assemblies

A power cycling in-test monitoring system has been constructed to test the reliability of eight different lead-free surface mount assemblies. The assemblies included SnAg3.8Cu0.7 and SnAg3.8Cu0.7X solder joints on OSP-Cu (organic solderability preservative on Cu), electroless NiAu, immersion Ag and immersion Sn board metallizations. One Pb containing assembly, Sn62PbAg2 on OSP-Cu board metallization, was included for comparison. The components on the assemblies were 1206 resistors (Sn100 metallization on the end terminals) and 100 lead QFP with gullwing leads (SnPb15 metallization). All assemblies experienced up to 5000 power cycles of ambient to 100°C with a 15 min dwell at each temperature. Solder joint reliability was evaluated by monitoring electrical resistance after each power cycle and examining mechanical strength and microstructure with number of power cycles. The 1206 resistors on four of the assemblies (one of which was the Pb containing assembly) exhibited electrical resistance increases after 4000 power cycles. All resistor samples decreased in strength by more than 70% at 5000 cycles and cracks appeared after 1000 power cycles. All gullwing lead solder joints exhibited good reliability over 5000 power cycles, with no resistance increase and no strength reduction. Small cracks appeared after 3000 power cycles     

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。     

The effect of solder paste composition on the reliability of SnAgCu joints

As the electronics industry is moving towards lead-free manufacturing processes, more effort has been put into the reliability study of lead-free solder materials. Various tin–silver–copper-based solders have become widely accepted alternatives for tin–lead solders. In this study, we have tested three different SnAgCu solder compositions. The first consisted of a hypoeutectic 96.5Sn/3.0Ag/0.5Cu solder, the second of a eutectic 95.5Sn/3.8Ag/0.7Cu solder, and the third of a hypereutectic 95.5Sn/4.0Ag/0.5Cu solder. A eutectic SnPb solder was used as a reference. The test boards were temperature-cycled (−40 to +125 °C) until all samples failed. The results of the temperature cycling test were analyzed, and cross-section samples were made of the failed joints. Scanning electron and optical microscopy were employed to analyze the fracture behavior and microstructures of the solder joints. The reliability of lead-free solders and the effect of microstructures on joint reliability are discussed.     

Creep of thermally aged SnAgCu-solder joints

The creep behaviour of Sn96.5Ag3.5- and Sn95.5Ag3.8Cu0.7-solder was studied specifically for its dependence on technological and environmental factors. The technological factors considered were typical cooling rates and pad metallizations for solder joints in electronic packaging. The environmental factors included microstructural changes as a result of thermal aging of solder joints. Creep experiments were conducted on three types of specimens—flip–chip joints, PCB solder joints and bulk specimens. flip–chip specimens were altered through the selection of various under bump metallizations (Cu vs. NiAu), cooling rates (40 K/min vs. 120 K/min), and thermal storage (24 h, 168 h, and 1176 h at 125 °C). PCB solder joints were studied by using a copper pin soldered into a thru-hole connection on a printed circuit board having a NiAu metallization. Bulk specimens contained the pure alloys. The creep behaviour of the SnAg and SnAgCu solders varied in dependence of specimen type, pad metallization and aging condition. Constitutive models for SnAg and SnAgCu solders as they depend on the reviewed factors are provided.     

Properties of Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu Solder Alloy with Trace Rare Earth Element Y Additions

In the current research, trace rare earth (RE) element Y was incorporated into a promising lead-free solder, Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu, in an effort to improve the comprehensive properties of Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder. The range of Y content in Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder alloys varied from 0 wt.% to 1.0 wt.%. As an illustration of the advantage of Y doping, the melting temperature, wettability, mechanical properties, and microstructures of Sn3.8Ag0.7CuY solder were studied. Trace Y additions had little influence on the melting behavior, but the solder showed better wettability and mechanical properties, as well as finer microstructures, than found in Y-free Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder. The Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu0.15Y solder alloy exhibited the best comprehensive properties compared to other solders with different Y content. Furthermore, interfacial and microstructural studies were conducted on Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu0.15Y solder alloys, and notable changes in microstructure were found compared to the Y-free alloy. The thickness of an intermetallic compound layer (IML) was decreased during soldering, and the growth of the IML was suppressed during aging. At the same time, the growth of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) inside the solder was reduced. In particular, some bigger IMC plates were replaced by fine, granular IMCs.     

Intermetallics Characterization of Lead-Free Solder Joints under Isothermal Aging

Solder interconnect reliability is influenced by environmentally imposed loads, solder material properties, and the intermetallics formed within the solder and the metal surfaces to which the solder is bonded. Several lead-free metallurgies are being used for component terminal plating, board pad plating, and solder materials. These metallurgies react together and form intermetallic compounds (IMCs) that affect the metallurgical bond strength and the reliability of solder joint connections. This study evaluates the composition and extent of intermetallic growth in solder joints of ball grid array components for several printed circuit board pad finishes and solder materials. Intermetallic growth during solid state aging at 100°C and 125°C up to 1000 h for two solder alloys, Sn-3.5Ag and Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu, was investigated. For Sn-3.5Ag solder, the electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) pad finish was found to result in the lowest IMC thickness compared to immersion tin (ImSn), immersion silver (ImAg), and organic solderability preservative (OSP). Due to the brittle nature of the IMC, a lower IMC thickness is generally preferred for optimal solder joint reliability. A lower IMC thickness may make ENIG a desirable finish for long-life applications. Activation energies of IMC growth in solid-state aging were found to be 0.54 ± 0.1 eV for ENIG, 0.91 ± 0.12 eV for ImSn, and 1.03 ± 0.1 eV for ImAg. Cu₃Sn and Cu₆Sn₅ IMCs were found between the solder and the copper pad on boards with the ImSn and ImAg pad finishes. Ternary (Cu,Ni)₆Sn₅ intermetallics were found for the ENIG pad finish on the board side. On the component side, a ternary IMC layer composed of Ni-Cu-Sn was found. Along with intermetallics, microvoids were observed at the interface between the copper pad and solder, which presents some concern if devices are subject to shock and vibration loading.     

高密度LED焊点微空洞的X射线检测和分析

利用高精度X射线检测设备分别对用Sn37Pb焊膏和Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu焊膏组装的高密度LED灯板进行焊后和老化后的微空洞检测,观察了焊点的微空洞缺陷,并计算微空洞尺寸。结果表明:老化前微空洞面积与焊点面积比在10%~25%的,Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu焊点中约含25.5%,略大于Sn37Pb焊点的23.5%,且明显小于Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu焊点老化后的31.4%。两种焊点老化前后微空洞所占面积比都在<25%的合格范围内,但Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu焊点更易形成微空洞。     

Development of lead-free wave soldering process

Lead-free wave soldering was studied in this work using a 95.5Sn/3.8Ag/0.7Cu alloy. A process DOE was developed, with three variables (solder bath temperature, conveyor speed, and soldering atmosphere), using a dual wave system. Four no-clean flux systems, including alcohol- and water-based types, were included in the evaluation. A specially designed "Lead-Free Solder Test Vehicle", which has various types of components, was used in the experiments. Both organic solderability preservative (OSP) and electroless nickel/immersion gold (Ni/Au, or ENIG) surface finishes were studied. Soldering performance (bridging, wetting and hole filling) was used as the responses for the DOE. In addition, dross formation was measured at different solder bath temperatures and atmospheres. Dross formation with Sn/Ag/Cu bath was compared to that with eutectic Sn/Pb bath. Regarding the connector-type component, a pad design giving the best soldering performance was evaluated based on the DOE results. Finally, a confirmation run with the optimum flux and process parameters was carried out using the Sn/Ag/Cu solder, and a comparative run was made with the Sn/Pb solder alloy and a no-clean flux used in production. The soldering results between the two runs indicate that with optimum flux and process parameters, it is possible to achieve acceptable process performance with the Sn/Ag/Cu alloy.     

Morphology and Growth of Intermetallics at the Interface of Sn-based Solders and Cu with Different Surface Finishes

Several types of surface finishes have been applied on Cu substrates in an effort to facilitate bonding and improve the reliability of lead-free solder joints. In the current research, the effects of printed circuit board surface finishes on the reliability of the solder joints were investigated by examining the morphology and growth behavior of the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) between Sn-based solders and different surface finishes on Cu. Three types of Cu substrates with different surface finishes were fabricated in this study: organic solderability preservative (OSP)/Cu, Ni/Cu, and electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG)/Cu. Sn-3.5Ag and Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu were used as the solders. In the experiment, the solder joint specimens were aged isothermally at 150°C for up to 1000 h. Experimental results revealed that the OSP surface finish promoted the interdiffusion between Cu and Sn during soldering. The composition and morphology of the IMC layer at the solder/Ni/Cu interface were sensitive to the Cu concentration in the solder. Meanwhile, the solder joints with different morphological features of the IMCs exhibited significant differences in shear strengths. The Au-containing ENIG surface finish affected the shear strength of the solder joint significantly at the initial stage of isothermal aging.     

Interfacial reaction and mechanical reliability of PTH solder joints with different solder/surface finish combinations

The effects of minor Ni addition (0.05 wt.%) on the microstructures and mechanical reliability of the lead-free solder joints used in the pin through hole (PTH) components were carefully investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a field-emission electron probe x-ray microanalyzer, and a pull tester. The PTH walls (i.e., Cu) of printed circuit boards (PCBs) were coated with organic solderability preservative (OSP) or electroless nickel/immersion gold (ENIG) surface finish before soldering. During soldering, the pins of the electronic components were first inserted into the PTHs deposited with OSP or ENIG, and then joined using a Sn–3Ag–0.5Cu (SAC) solder bath through a typical wave-soldering process. After wave soldering, a rework (the second wave soldering) was performed, where an SAC or Sn–0.7Cu–0.05Ni (SCN) solder bath was employed. The SCN joints were found to possess a higher tensile strength than the SAC ones in the OSP case. The sluggish growth of Cu₃Sn, along with few Kirkendall voids at the solder/Cu interface caused by minor Ni addition into the solder alloy (i.e., SCN), was believed to be the root cause responsible for the increase in the strength value. However, the mechanical strength of the PTH components was revealed to be insensitive to the solder composition in the alternative case where an ENIG was deposited over the PTH walls. The implication of this study revealed that minor addition of Ni into the solder is beneficial for the solder/Cu joints, but for the solder/Ni(P) joints.     

Effects of thermomechanical cycling on lead and lead-free (SnPb and SnAgCu) surface mount solder joints

Accelerated reliability tests have been performed on leadless and leaded lead-free and lead containing SMT component assemblies. Results so far have shown that lead-free reflow soldering is a viable alternative for conventional lead based reflow soldering. The selected ternary eutectic solder alloy SnAg3.8Cu0.7 requires higher processing temperatures which could restrict the use of certain board and component types, but other than that no major modifications seem necessary. Although better SnAg3.8Cu0.7 bulk mechanical properties were obtained compared to the near eutectic lead bearing bulk solder properties, reflowed solder joints did not reflect this difference. In general, quite similar reliability results were obtained as found for the lead based solders. Dependent on board and component metallisations and use environment, the reliability of the lead-free solders could perform better or worse than the lead based solders. Temperature dependent aspects such as solderability and mechanical behaviour of the lead-free assemblies could play a role in this. Although microstructural differences can be seen between the lead-free and lead bearing solder joints, similar joint failure mechanisms occur. Resistor solder joint cracks propagate from underneath the component through either transgranular (lead-free) grains or along intergranular (lead) grain boundaries between lead-rich and tin-rich areas and into coarsened regions near the component terminations. Gullwing lead cracks were seen propagating from the heel fillet along the lead/solder interfacial intermetallic mostly (some cracks started in the heel fillet and propagated through the solder body dispersed with coarsened spherical Ag₃Sn intermetallic particles). Package design and leadframe material seem to play a more important role in the fatigue mechanism than the change in microstructure of the solder joint.     

Study of the Impact Performance of Solder Joints by High-Velocity Impact Tests

The impact behavior of solder joints was studied using three different high-velocity impact tests: the U-notch Charpy impact test, the no-notch Charpy impact test, and a laboratory-designed drop test. The solder joints were made of five solder alloys, Sn-37Pb, Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu, Sn-2.0Ag-0.7Cu, Sn-1.0Ag-0.7Cu, and Sn-0.7Ag-0.7Cu (in wt.%), in which the traditional Cu/solder/Cu butt joint was used. All three impact tests gave the same trend of the impact behavior of the solder joints, with the Sn-37Pb joints having the highest impact resistance and the Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu joints having the lowest impact resistance. For the lead-free joints, the Sn-1.0Ag-0.7Cu joints had better impact resistance than the Sn-2.0Ag-0.7Cu joints, and the Sn-2.0Ag-0.7Cu joints better than the Sn-0.7Ag-0.7Cu joints. The impact behavior was correlated well to the fracture morphologies observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Comparison of the three tests showed that the no-notch Charpy impact test is a promising method for evaluating the drop performance of solder joints.     

Interfacial reaction and solder joint reliability of Pb-free solders in lead frame chip scale packages (LF-CSP)

Chip scale packages (CSP) have essential solder joint quality problems, and a board level reliability is a key issue in design and development of the CSP type packages. There has been an effort to eliminate Pb from solder due to its toxicology. To evaluate the various solder balls in CSP package applications, Pb-free Sn-Ag-X (X=In, Cu, Bi) and Sn-9Zn-1Bi-5In solder balls were characterized by melting behavior, phases, interfacial reaction, and solder joint reliability. For studying joint strength between solders and under bump metallurgy (UBM) systems, various UBMs were prepared by electroplating and electroless plating. After T/C (temperature cycle) test, Sn3.5Ag8.5In solder was partially corroded and its shape was distorted. This phenomenon was observed in a Sn3Ag10In 1Cu solder system, too. Their fractured surface, microstructure of solder joint interface, and of bulk solder ball were examined and analyzed by optical microscopy, SEM and EDX. To simulate the real surface mounting condition and evaluate the solder joint reliability on board level, Daisy chain test samples using LF-CSP packages were prepared with various Pb-free solders, then a temperature cycle test (−65∼ 150°C) was performed. All tested Pb-free solders showed better board level solder joint reliability than Sn-36Pb-2Ag. Sn-3.5Ag-0.7Cu and Sn-9Zn-1Bi-5In solders showed 35%, 100% superior solder joint reliability than Sn-36Pb-2Ag solder ball, respectively.     

Effect of Interfacial Reactions on the Reliability of Lead-Free Assemblies after Board Level Drop Tests

The reliability of lead-free electronic assemblies after board level drop tests was investigated. Thin small outline package (TSOP) components with 42 FeNi alloy leads were reflow soldered on FR4 printed circuit boards (PCBs) with Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu (wt%) solder. The effects of different PCB finishes [organic solderability preservative (OSP) and electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG)], multiple reflow (once and three times), and isothermal aging (500 h at 125°C after one time reflow) were studied. The ENIG finish showed better performance than its OSP counterparts. With the OSP finish, solder joints reflowed three times showed obvious improvement compared to those of the sample reflowed once, while aging led to apparent degradation. The results showed that intermetallic compound (IMC) types, IMC microstructure and solder microstructure compete with each other, all playing very important roles in the solder joint lifetime. The results also showed that it is important to specify adequate conditions for a given reliability assessment program, to allow meaningful comparison between results of different investigators.     

Effect of Ag Content on Solidification Cracking Susceptibility of Sn-Ag-Cu Solder Joints

In the present work, the effect of Ag content on solidification cracking susceptibility of Sn-Ag-Cu solder joints has been investigated. Solders containing 1.0 wt.% to 3.8 wt.% Ag were used in the experiment. Solidification cracks were created using a copper self-restraint specimen, which could simulate the process of solidification cracking. Meanwhile, solidification cracking susceptibility was evaluated by comparing the total crack length of the solder joint. The results indicate that solidification cracks exist in solder joints with 1.0 wt.% to 3.0 wt.% Ag content, whereas there are no cracks in Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu solder joints. When the Ag content increases from 1.0 wt.% to 3.0 wt.%, the total crack length of Sn-Ag-Cu solder joints increases to a maximum and then drops to zero when the Ag content reaches 3.8 wt.%. In addition, the susceptibility to solidification cracking is observed as follows: SAC207 > SAC305 > SAC107 > SAC387.     

Effect of Isothermal Aging on the Long-Term Reliability of Fine-Pitch Sn–Ag–Cu and Sn–Ag Solder Interconnects With and Without Board-Side Ni Surface Finish

The combined effects on long-term reliability of isothermal aging and chemically balanced or unbalanced surface finish have been investigated for fine-pitch ball grid array packages with Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu (SAC305) (wt.%) and Sn–3.5Ag (SnAg) (wt.%) solder ball interconnects. Two different printed circuit board surface finishes were selected to compare the effects of chemically balanced and unbalanced structure interconnects with and without board-side Ni surface finish. NiAu/solder/Cu and NiAu/solder/NiAu interconnects were isothermally aged and thermally cycled to evaluate long-term thermal fatigue reliability. Weibull plots of the combined effects of each aging condition and each surface finish revealed lifetime for NiAu/SAC305/Cu was reduced by approximately 40% by aging at 150°C; less degradation was observed for NiAu/SAC305/NiAu. Further reduction of characteristic life-cycle number was observed for NiAu/SnAg/NiAu joints. Microstructure was studied, focusing on its evolution near the board and package-side interfaces. Different mechanisms of aging were apparent under the different joint configurations. Their effects on the fatigue life of solder joints are discussed.     

Constitutive and Aging Behavior of Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu Solder Alloy

We describe double-lap shear experiments on Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu solder alloy, from which fits to Anand's viscoplastic constitutive model, power-law creep model, and to time-hardening primary-secondary creep model are derived. Results of monotonic tests for strain rates ranging from 4.02E-6 to 2.40E-3 s^-1, and creep response at stress levels ranging from 19.5 to 45.6 MPa are reported. Both types of tests were conducted at temperatures of 25degC, 75degC , and 125degC. Following an earlier study where Anand model and time hardening creep parameters for Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu and Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu solder alloys were reported, here we report power law model parameters so as to enable a comparison between all three alloys. Primary creep in Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu solder alloy is shown to be significant and are considered in addition to secondary creep and monotonic behavior. Aging influence on behavior is also shown to be significant. On the basis of experimental data, the following four aspects are discussed: 1) difference between testing on bulk versus joint specimen; 2) consistency between the creep and monotonic behaviors; 3) comparison against behaviors of Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu and Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu alloys as well as aganist Sn40Pb, 62Sn36Pb2Ag and 96.5Sn3.5Ag alloys; and 4) comparison of Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu and Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu relative to their aging response.     

Microstructure characterization of SnAgCu solder bearing Ce for electronic packaging

The creep-rupture lives of Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu and Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu0.03Ce lead-free solder joints for electronic packaging were investigated, respectively. And the relationship between creep behavior and intermetallic compound (IMC: Ag₃Sn, Cu₆Sn₅, CeSn₃) particles in SnAgCu/SnAgCuCe solder joints has been obtained. Meanwhile, rare earth Ce concentration gradient and retardation effect of Ce on the IMC layer have been observed at the solder/Cu interface. Moreover, aging reaction of Sn and Cu, and the effect mechanism of rare earth Ce on two IMCs (Cu₆Sn₅ and Cu₃Sn) are reported.     

Evaluation of Electrochemical Migration on Printed Circuit Boards with Lead-Free and Tin-Lead Solder

To evaluate the current leakage and electrochemical migration behavior on printed circuit boards with eutectic tin-lead and lead-free solder, IPC B-24 comb structures were exposed to 65°C and 88% relative humidity conditions under direct-current (DC) bias for over 1500 h. These boards were processed with either Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu solder or Sn-37Pb solder. In addition to solder alloy, board finish (organic solderability preservative versus lead-free hot air solder leveling), spacing (25 mil versus 12.5 mil), and voltage (40 V versus 5 V bias) were also assessed by using in situ measurements of surface insulation resistance (SIR) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy after testing. It was shown that an initial increase of SIR was caused by consumption of electroactive species on the surface, intermittent drops of SIR were caused by dendritic growth, and a long-term SIR decline was caused by electrodeposition of a metallic layer. The prolonged SIR decline of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu boards was simulated by three-dimensional (3D) progressive and instantaneous nucleation models, whose predictions were compared with experimental data. Sn-37Pb boards exhibited comigration of Sn, Pb, and Cu, while Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu boards incurred comigration of Sn, Ag, and Cu. Among the migrated species, Sn always dominated and was observed as either a layer or in polyhedral deposits, Pb was the most common element found in the dendrites, Cu was a minor constituent, and Ag migrated only occasionally. Compared with solder alloy, board finishes played a secondary role in affecting SIR due to their complexation with or dissolution into the solder. The competing effect between electric field and spacing was also investigated.     

Effect of Thermal Aging on Impact Absorbed Energies of Solder Joints Under High-Strain-Rate Conditions

This study was concerned with the effect of thermal aging on the impact properties of solder joints. Three kinds of solders, conventional Sn-37Pb solder, Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu solder, and Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu doped with rare-earth (RE) elements, were selected to manufacture joint specimens for the Charpy impact test. U-notch specimens were adopted and isothermally aged at 150°C for 100 h and 1000 h, and then impacted by using a pendulum-type impact tester at room temperature. The Sn-37Pb solder joints exhibited higher performance in terms of impact absorbed energy in the as-soldered and 100 h thermally aged conditions. Interestingly, the Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu solder joints exhibited improved performance for the impact value after 1000 h of thermal aging. For the Sn-37Pb and Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu solder joints, the impact absorbed energies initially increased when the storage duration was limited to 100 h, and then gradually decreased with its further increase. For the Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu-RE specimens, impact performance decreased directly with increasing thermal aging. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed that the fracture paths were focused on the interface zone for the three kinds of joints in the aged conditions. For the Sn-37Pb joints, the fracture surfaces mainly presented a ductile fracture mode. For the Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu joints, with microstructure coarsening, crack propagation partly shifted towards the Sn/Cu₆Sn₅ interface. Compared with the 100 h aged joints, the area fraction of intergranular fracture of Sn grains on the Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu fracture surfaces was increased when the aging time was 1000 h. On the contrary, the fracture morphologies of Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu-RE were mainly brittle as thermal aging increased. Thus, an interrelationship between impact energy value and fracture morphology was observed.