Electromigration Analysis of Solder Joints for Power Modules Using an Electrical-Thermal-Stress Coupled Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuaki Kato ◽  
Takahiro Omori ◽  
Akihiro Goryu ◽  
Tomoya Fumikura ◽  
Kenji Hirohata
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Solder Joint ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Solder Joints ◽  
Vacancy Concentration ◽  
Inelastic Strain ◽  
Power Device ◽  
Power Module ◽  
Power Modules ◽  
Rate Of Increase

Abstract Power modules are being developed to increase power output. The larger current densities accompanying increased power output are expected to degrade solder joints in power modules by electromigration. In previous research, numerical analysis of solder for electromigration has mainly examined ball grid arrays in flip-chip packages in which many solder balls are bonded under the semiconductor device. However, in a power module, a single solder joint is uniformly bonded under the power device. Because of this difference in geometric shape, the effect of electromigration in the solder of power modules may be significantly different from that in the solder of flip chips packages. This report describes an electromigration analysis of solder joints for power modules using an electrical-thermal-stress coupled analysis. First, we validate our numerical implementation and show that it can reproduce the vacancy concentrations and hydrostatic stress almost the same as the analytical solutions. We then simulate a single solder joint to evaluate electromigration in a solder joint in a power module. Once inelastic strain appears, the rate of increase in vacancy concentration slows, while the inelastic strain continuously increases. This phenomenon demonstrates that elastic-plastic-creep analysis is crucial for electromigration analysis of solder joints in power modules. Next, the solder joint with a power device and a substrate as used in power modules was simulated. Plasticity-creep and longitudinal gradient generated by current crowding have a strong effect on significantly reducing the vacancy concentration at the anode edge over a long period of time.

Electromigration Analysis of Solder Joints for Power Modules Using an Electrical-Thermal-Stress-Atomic Coupled Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuaki Kato ◽  
Takahiro Omori ◽  
Akihiro Goryu ◽  
Tomoya Fumikura ◽  
Kenji Hirohata
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Solder Joint ◽  
Creep Strain ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Solder Joints ◽  
Vacancy Concentration ◽  
Size Ratio ◽  
Power Device ◽  
Current Crowding ◽  
Power Modules

Abstract Numerical analysis of electromigration in solder joints has mainly examined ball grid arrays (BGAs) in flip-chip packages, and few numerical study has been reported on solder joints in power modules. This report describes an electromigration analysis of solder joints for power modules with a Si-based power device, which are still widely used today, using an electrical-thermal-stress-atomic coupled analysis. To evaluate electromigration, a solder joint with a power device and a substrate as used in power modules was simulated. Due to current crowding, the current density at the edge of the solder joint exceeded the electromigration threshold even in Si-based power modules. Unlike general electromigration phenomena, the vacancy concentration increased at the center and decreased at the edges of the solder joint, regardless of whether it was on the cathode side or anode side. The vacancy concentration clearly increased with increasing current density and size ratio. Creep strain increased significantly with increasing current density, temperature, and size ratio. The largest change in vacancy concentration and creep strain was at the anode edge where current crowding occurred. In addition, we modeled the two-dimensional behavior of metal atoms passing through the interface of the solder joint. The expansion of intermetallic compound was accelerated by increasing the temperature and current density.

Electromigration Analysis of Solder Joints for Power Modules Using an Electrical-Thermal-Stress Coupled Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuaki Kato ◽  
Takahiro Omori ◽  
Akihiro Goryu ◽  
Tomoya Fumikura ◽  
Kenji Hirohata
Keyword(s):  
Solder Joint ◽  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Solder Joints ◽  
Hydrostatic Stress ◽  
Vacancy Concentration ◽  
Intermetallic Layer ◽  
Current Crowding ◽  
Metal Atoms ◽  
Power Modules ◽  
Rate Of Increase

Abstract Power modules are being developed with the aim of increasing power output. Achieving this aim requires increased current density in power modules. However, at high current densities, power modules can degrade as a result of electromigration, which is a phenomenon where atoms move due to momentum transfer between conducting electrons and metal atoms. In addition, atoms are also moved by mechanical stress gradients and temperature gradients, so it is necessary to consider the combined effects of electrical, thermal, and mechanical stress. This report describes an electromigration analysis of solder joints for power modules. First, we validated our numerical implementation and showed that it could reproduce the distributions of vacancy concentrations and hydrostatic stress that were almost the same as those in previous studies. We then describe the effects of electromigration in a single solder joint. Due to the appearance of plastic and creep strains, the rate of increase in vacancy concentration was very slow and inelastic strain grew at an increasing rate. This result indicates that inelastic properties may strongly affect electromigration-induced degradation. Next, we present results for the solder joint with a SiC device and substrate. A current crowding appeared at the edge of the solder joint, and a vacancy concentration gradient was generated in not only the thickness direction but also the longitudinal direction. The absolute value of vacancy concentration increased significantly at the edge and did not reach a steady state even after a long time. These results indicate that peripheral components may strongly affect the electromigration-induced degradation. In addition, we modeled the behavior of metal atoms passing through the interface of the solder joint and simulated the growth of the intermetallic layer by electromigration.

Electromigration Analysis of Solder Joints for Power Modules Using an Electrical-Thermal-Stress Coupled Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuaki Kato ◽  
Takahiro Omori ◽  
Akihiro Goryu ◽  
Tomoya Fumikura ◽  
Kenji Hirohata
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Solder Joints ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Power Modules

Analysis of Transient Thermal Stress of IGBT Module Based on Electrical-Thermal-Mechanical Coupling Model

2014 ◽  
Vol 986-987 ◽  
pp. 823-827
Author(s):  
Qing Yuan Zheng ◽  
Min You Chen ◽  
Bing Gao ◽  
Nan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Uniform Distribution ◽  
Inelastic Strain ◽  
Coupling Model ◽  
Power Module ◽  
Mechanical Coupling ◽  
Fem Method ◽  
Igbt Module ◽  
Solder Layer

Reliability of IGBT power module is one of the biggest concerns regarding wind power system, which generates the non-uniform distribution of temperature and thermal stress. The effects of non-uniform distribution will cause failure of IGBT module. Therefore, analysis of thermal mechanical stress distribution is crucially important for investigation of IGBT failure mechanism. This paper uses FEM method to establish an electrical-thermal mechanical coupling model of IGBT power module. Firstly, thermal stress distribution of solder layer is studied under power cycling. Then, the effects of initial failure of solder layer on the characteristic of IGBT module is investigated. Experimental results indicate that the strain energy density and inelastic strain are higher which will reduce reliability and lifetime of power modules.

Precision Evaluation for Thermal Fatigue Life of Power Module Using Coupled Electrical-Thermal-Structural Analysis

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Takahashi ◽  
Qiang Yu ◽  
Masahiro Kobayashi
Keyword(s):  
Fatigue Life ◽  
Temperature Distribution ◽  
Solder Joint ◽  
Thermal Fatigue ◽  
Thermal Structure ◽  
Inelastic Strain ◽  
Power Module ◽  
Thermal Fatigue Life ◽  
Power Cycling ◽  
Precision Evaluation

For power module, the reliability evaluation of thermal fatigue life by power cycling has been prioritized as an important concern. Since in power cycling produces there exists non-uniform temperature distribution in the power module, coupled thermal-structure analysis is required to evaluate thermal fatigue mechanism. The thermal expansion difference between a Si chip and a substrate causes thermal fatigue. In this study, thermal fatigue life of solder joints on power module was evaluated. The finite element method (FEM) was used to evaluate temperature distribution induced by joule heating. Higher temperature appears below the Al wire because the electric current flows through the bonding Al wire. Coupled thermal-structure analysis is also required to evaluate the inelastic strain distribution. The damage of each part of solder joint can be calculated from equivalent inelastic strain range and crack propagation was simulated by deleting damaged elements step by step. The initial cracks were caused below the bonding Al wire and propagated concentrically under power cycling. There is the difference from environmental thermal cycling where the crack initiated at the edge of solder layer. In addition, in order to accurately evaluate the thermal fatigue life, the factors affecting the thermal fatigue life of solder joint where verified using coupled electrical-thermal-structural analysis. Then, the relation between the thermal fatigue life of solder joint and each factor is clarified. The precision evaluation for the thermal fatigue life of power module is improved.

Electromigration Analysis of Power Modules by Electrical-Thermal-Mechanical Coupled Model

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuaki Kato ◽  
Takahiro Omori ◽  
Akihiro Goryu ◽  
Tomoya Fumikura ◽  
Kenji Hirohata
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Stress ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Hydrostatic Stress ◽  
Vacancy Concentration ◽  
Coupled Analysis ◽  
Local Concentration ◽  
Wire Surface ◽  
Bonding Wire ◽  
Power Modules ◽  
The Wire

Abstract Power semiconductors and modules are basic components of electrical infrastructure and are currently widely used in applications such as power conversion devices, industrial equipment, railways, and automobiles. Power modules are being developed with the aim of downsizing and increasing power output. With the larger current densities and higher operating temperatures associated with downsizing and increasing power output, degradation of power modules can occur as a result of electromigration. Electromigration is a phenomenon where atoms move due to the momentum transfer between conducting electrons and metal atoms. In addition, atoms are also moved by mechanical stress gradients and temperature gradients, so it is necessary to take into consideration the combined effects of electrical, thermal, and mechanical stress. In this report, we describe an electrical-thermal-mechanical coupled analysis of electromigration in a bonding wire of a power module. First, the analysis is validated under the condition that the displacement of the wire surface is fixed. The distributions of vacancy concentrations and hydrostatic stress are almost equal to those in previous studies. Next, we present the influences of current density, temperature, and the displacement constraint on electromigration in a wire with a simplified shape. The analysis results confirm that the plasticity and creep should be taken into consideration in a bonding wire. This also confirm that vacancy concentration increase more rapidly by changing the displacement of the wire surface from the fixed condition to the free condition. Finally, we present analysis results for a bonding wire with the actual shape found in power modules. In this wire, a local concentration peak appear in the electrode terminal. The analysis results reveal that electromigration may affect not only void formation but also other failure phenomena in the bonding wire of power modules.

A Comparison of Thermal Stress/Strain Behavior of Elliptical/Round Solder Pads

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuo-Ning Chiang ◽  
Chang-Ming Liu
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Solder Joint ◽  
Solder Joints ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Ball Grid Array ◽  
Stress Strain ◽  
Restoring Force ◽  
Array Type ◽  
Finite Element Software ◽  
Area Array

As electronic packaging technology moving to the CSP, wafer level packaging, fine pitch BGA (ball grid array) and high density interconnections, the wireability of the PCB/substrate and soldering technology are as important as reliability issues. In this work, a comparison of elliptical/round pads of area array type packages has been studied for soldering, reliability, and wireability requirements. The objective of this research is to develop numerical models for predicting reflow shapes of solder joint under elliptical/round pad boundary conditions and to study the reliability issue of the solder joint. In addition, a three-dimensional solder liquid formation model is developed for predicting the geometry, the restoring force, the wireability, and the reliability of solder joints in an area array type interconnections (e.g., ball grid array, flip chip) under elliptical and round pad configurations. In general, the reliability of the solder joints is highly dependent on the thermal-mechanical behaviors of the solder and the geometry configuration of the solder ball. These reliability factors include standoff height/contact angle of the solder joint, and the geometry layout/material properties of the package. An optimized solder pad design cannot only lead to a good reliability life of the solder joint but also can achieve a better wireability of the substrate. Furthermore, the solder reflow simulation used in this study is based on an energy minimization engine called Surface Evolver and the finite element software ABAQUS is used for thermal stress/strain nonlinear analysis.

A First Individual Solder Joint Encapsulant Adhesive

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 (1) ◽  
pp. 000766-000770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Liu ◽  
Wusheng Yin
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Solder Joint ◽  
Solder Joints ◽  
Empty Space ◽  
Pull Strength ◽  
Fine Pitch ◽  
3D Package

In order to meet the demand of fine pitch and 3D package, and eliminate complex underfilling process, a first solder joint encapsulant has been invented. Solder joint encapsulant adhesive is to encapsulate each individual solder joint using polymer to enhance solder joint, and leave empty space in-between solder joints to avoid thermal stress applied onto solder joints. Now two kinds of solder joint encapsulants are SMT256 and SMT266, which have been used in the customer field. Using solder joint encapsulants – SMT256 and SMT266, the pull strength of solder joint has been increased by about five times, resulting in significant increase in the reliability. In this paper more details have been investigated.

Electromigration Analysis of Solder Joints for Power Modules Using an Electrical-Thermal-Stress Coupled Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuaki Kato ◽  
Takahiro Omori ◽  
Akihiro Goryu ◽  
Tomoya Fumikura ◽  
Kenji Hirohata
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Solder Joints ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Power Modules

scholarly journals Review of Methodologies for Structural Integrity Evaluation of Power Modules

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriyuki Miyazaki ◽  
Nobuyuki Shishido ◽  
Yutaka Hayama
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Fatigue ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Strain Range ◽  
Inelastic Strain ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Power Module ◽  
Cycling Test ◽  
Die Attach ◽  
Power Modules ◽  
Failure Models

Abstract This paper reviews the previous research on the methodologies for evaluating structural integrity of wire bonds and die-attachments in power modules. Under power module operation, these parts are subjected to repeated temperature variations which induce repeated thermal stress due to the mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of the constituent materials. Thus, thermal fatigue phenomena are critical issues for the structural integrity of power modules. In the present paper, we also deal with the evaluation methodologies for thermal fatigue in the temperatures over 200 °C, which are expected operational temperatures for wide bandgap semiconductor power modules. The failure models based on the temperature range ΔT widely used in the power electronics community are critically reviewed from a mechanical engineering viewpoint. Detailed discussion is given concerning the superiority of failure models based on the physical quantities such as the inelastic strain range Δεin, the inelastic strain energy density range ΔWin, and the nonlinear fracture mechanics parameter range ΔT* over the conventional ΔT-based failure models. It is also pointed out that the distributed state concept (DSC) approaches based on the unified constitutive modeling and the unified mechanics theory are promising for evaluating the structural integrity of power modules. Two kinds of test methods, a power cycling test (PCT) and a thermal cycling test (TCT), are discussed in the relation to evaluating the lifetimes of wire-liftoff and die attach cracking.

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