Effect of Solder Composition and Substrate Surface Finish on Board Level Drop Test Reliability

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don-Son Jiang ◽  
Joe Hung ◽  
Yu-Po Wang ◽  
C. S. Hsiao
Keyword(s):  
Solder Joint ◽  
Substrate Surface ◽  
Drop Impact ◽  
Drop Test ◽  
Test Reliability ◽  
Lead Free ◽  
Lead Free Solder ◽  
Snagcu Solder ◽  
Free Solder ◽  
Board Level

For handheld or portable telecommunication devices such as mobile phone, PDA, etc., board level joint reliability during drop impact is a great concern to simulate mishandling during usage. In general, solder composition and substrate surface finish would principally determine the solder joint reliability. Board level drop test reliability of two solder compositions (SnPb and lead free SnAgCu) and surface finishes (Ni/Au and OSP) were examined in this study. The result indicated SnAgCu lead free solder showed poorer reliability life than Sn-Pb solder during drop impact. The crack path in SnPb solder joint almost went through bulk solder near substrate side. However, another IMC/Ni interfacial failure mode near substrate side was found in SnAgCu solder to cause lower reliability. This difference could attribute to higher strength of SnAgCu solder and deformation with higher strain rate in drop test. Comparison between two surface finishes indicated Ni/Au is better than OSP in both SnPb and SnAgCu lead free solder joints. In SnAgCu lead free solder joint with OSP, there are thicker Cu6Sn5 IMC and many large Ag3Sn IMC plates in interface to degrade the interfacial bonding, so drop impact would easily cause the all cracks through IMC/Cu interface and then reduce the reliability.

Analysis Methods for Characterizing Drop Test Robustness of Lead-Free FBGAs

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Walter ◽  
R. Fischer ◽  
C. Birzer
Keyword(s):  
Crack Detection ◽  
Printed Circuit Boards ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Drop Test ◽  
Test Reliability ◽  
Lead Free ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Lead Free Solder ◽  
Analysis Methods ◽  
Free Solder

Abstract During the last few years the drop test has become more and more important for electronic handheld components. Drop test reliability for lead-free solder interconnects is an extreme challenge today. Thus, the need for improved micro structural diagnostics of new material combinations and crack detection methods has increased. The target of this paper is to summarize detection and analysis methods for solder joint cracks, material characterization [1] and preparation methods of assembled printed circuit boards (PCB) after a drop test to completely understand lead-free solder interconnect reliability in fine pitch ball grid array packages (FBGA). In particular, we will introduce the outstanding advantages of embedded cross-sections combined with ion beam polishing (IBP), dye- or rather resin-penetration, selective tin etch and micro-hardness measurements.

The Effect of Multiple Reflow Times on Lead-Free Solder Joint Microstructure

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami T. Nurmi ◽  
Janne J. Sundelin ◽  
Eero O. Ristolainen ◽  
Toivo K. Lepisto¨
Keyword(s):  
Solder Joint ◽  
Solder Joints ◽  
Lead Free ◽  
Lead Free Solder ◽  
Solder Paste ◽  
Snagcu Solder ◽  
Silver Copper ◽  
Free Solder ◽  
Tin Silver Copper ◽  
Lead Free Solders

As environmental issues are raising more interest and are becoming crucial factors in all parts of the world, more and more environmental-friendly electronics products are emerging. Usually this means the introduction of products with lead-free solders. However, the reliability of lead-free solders is still a serious concern despite the vast research done in this field. This paper will describe the interconnect reliability of three kinds of solder joints respectively prepared with lead-free solder paste and lead-free PBGA components, lead-free solder paste and tin-lead-silver PBGA components, and tin-lead solder paste and tin-lead-silver PBGA components. Lead-free and tin-lead solders were composed of eutectic tin-silver-copper and tin-lead, respectively. In addition, the study also presents the effect of multiple reflow times. The study focuses on the microstructures of different assemblies. The particular interest is on the assemblies soldered with lead-free solder paste and tin-lead-silver PBGA components, since the SnPbAg solder on the bumps of the PBGA components were exposed to the reflow profile meant for the lead-free SnAgCu solder. Thus, these SnPbAg solder bumps were in the molten state almost twice as long as the rest of the solders. This had a notable effect on the reliability of these solder joints as we will be showing later in this paper. The test boards were temperature-cycled for 2500 cycles between −40 and +125°C (a 30-minute cycle). PBGA solder joint failures were monitored with a real time monitoring system. Optical and scanning electron microscopy was used to inspect the broken solder joints and their microstructure. The results of tests indicate that the number of reflow times can significantly affect the lifetime of PBGA solder joints. The most notable changes can be seen in the solder joints made with tin-lead-silver PBGA components and tin-silver-copper solder paste soldered with a lead-free reflow profile. The general trend was that the reliability of the solder joints increased in proportion to the number of reflow times. Mainly two factors are believed to have the major effect on the reliability of PBGA solder joints, voids, and microstructural changes in solder.

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