Observations of Precipitates In 95PB-5SN Solder
The electronic packaging of integrated circuit chips has been cited as the limiting factor in the performance and reliability of high speed data processing units. A very important part of the package is in the first level where solder bonds the IC chip to a ceramic carrier. The most commonly used first level solder is 95Pb-5Sn. The importance of this solder connection instigated the following fundamental study of the microstructure of 95Pb-5Sn and its precipitates.The alloy was melted in vacuum at 400°C using 99.9% pure Pb and Sn. The ingot was allowed to cool and age for a few days at room temperature. TEM 3mm foils were cut and mechanically thinned down to 4 mil thickness. After aging at room temperature the solder is considered to be in its equilibrium state, no further changes in microstructure are observed.