Materials Characterization of Lead Free Compositions for Minimum Temperature SMT Processes at the SLI-Second Level Interconnect Solder Joint

Author(s):  
Norman J. Armendariz ◽  
Prawin Paulraj

Abstract The European Union is banning the use of Pb in electronic products starting July 1st, 2006. Printed circuit board assemblies or “motherboards” require that planned CPU sockets and BGA chipsets use lead-free solder ball compositions at the second level interconnections (SLI) to attach to a printed circuit board (PCB) and survive various assembly and reliability test conditions for end-use deployment. Intel is pro-actively preparing for this anticipated Pb ban, by evaluating a new lead free (LF) solder alloy in the ternary Tin- Silver-Copper (Sn4.0Ag0.5Cu) system and developing higher temperature board assembly processes. This will be pursued with a focus on achieving the lowest process temperature required to avoid deleterious higher temperature effects and still achieve a metallurgically compatible solder joint. One primary factor is the elevated peak reflow temperature required for surface mount technology (SMT) LF assembly, which is approximately 250 °C compared to present eutectic tin/lead (Sn37Pb) reflow temperatures of around 220 °C. In addition, extended SMT time-above-liquidus (TAL) and subsequent cooling rates are also a concern not only for the critical BGA chipsets and CPU BGA sockets but to other components similarly attached to the same PCB substrate. PCBs used were conventional FR-4 substrates with organic solder preservative on the copper pads and mechanical daisychanged FCBGA components with direct immersion gold surface finish on their copper pads. However, a materials analysis method and approach is also required to characterize and evaluate the effect of low peak temperature LF SMT processing on the PBA SLI to identify the absolute limits or “cliffs” and determine if the minimum processing temperature and TAL could be further lowered. The SLI system is characterized using various microanalytical techniques, such as, conventional optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and microhardness testing. In addition, the SLI is further characterized using macroanalytical techniques such as dye penetrant testing (DPT) with controlled tensile testing for mechanical strength in addition to disbond and crack area mapping to complete the analysis.

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. Borza ◽  
I. T. Nistea

Reliability of electronic assemblies at board level and solder joint integrity depend upon the stress applied to the assembly. The stress is often of thermomechanical or of vibrational nature. In both cases, the behavior of the assembly is strongly influenced by the mechanical boundary conditions created by the printed circuit board (PCB) to casing fasteners. In many previously published papers, the conditions imposed to the fasteners are mostly aiming at an increase of the fundamental frequency and a decrease of static or dynamic displacement values characterizing the deformation. These conditions aim at reducing the fatigue in different parts of these assemblies. In the photomechanics laboratory of INSA Rouen, the origins of solder joint failure have been investigated by means of full-field measurements of the flexure deformation induced by vibrations or by forced thermal convection. The measurements were done both at a global level for the whole printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and at a local level at the solder joints where failure was reported. The experimental technique used was phase-stepped laser speckle interferometry. This technique has a submicrometer sensitivity with respect to out-of-plane deformations induced by bending and its use is completely nonintrusive. Some of the results were comforted by comparison with a numerical finite elements model. The experimental results are presented either as time-average holographic fringe patterns, as in the case of vibrations, or as wrapped phase patterns, as in the case of deformation under thermomechanical stress. Both types of fringe patterns may be processed so as to obtain the explicit out-of-plane static deformation (or vibration amplitude) maps. Experimental results show that the direct cause of solder joint failure may be a high local PCB curvature produced by a supplementary fastening screw intended to reduce displacements and increase fundamental frequency. The curvature is directly responsible for tensile stress appearing in the leads of a large quad flat pack (QFP) component and for shear in the corresponding solder joints. The general principle of increasing the fundamental frequency and decreasing the static or dynamic displacement values has to be checked against the consequences on the PCB curvature near large electronic devices having high stiffness.


2011 ◽  
Vol 423 ◽  
pp. 26-30
Author(s):  
S. Assif ◽  
M. Agouzoul ◽  
A. El Hami ◽  
O. Bendaou ◽  
Y. Gbati

Increasing demand for smaller consumer electronic devices with multi-function capabilities has driven the packaging architectures trends for the finer-pitch interconnects, thus increasing chances of their failures. A simulation of the Board Level Drop-Test according to JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Council) is performed to evaluate the solder joint reliability under drop impact test. After good insights to the physics of the problem, the results of the numerical analysis on a simple Euler-Bernoulli beam were validated against analytical analysis. Since the simulation has to be performed on ANSYS Mechanical which is an implicit software, two methods were proposed, the acceleration-input and the displacement-input. The results are the same for both methods. Therefore, the simulation is carried on the real standard model construction of the board package level2. Then a new improved model is proposed to satisfy shape regular element and accuracy. All the models are validated to show excellent first level correlation on the dynamic responses of Printed Circuit Board, and second level correlation on solder joint stress. Then a static model useful for quick design analysis and optimization’s works is proposed and validated. Finally, plasticity behavior is introduced on the solder ball and a non-linear analysis is performed.


Author(s):  
Todd Embree ◽  
Deassy Novita ◽  
Gary Long ◽  
Satish Parupalli

The continual drive toward smaller second level interconnect dimensions, along with the introduction of Halogen-Free circuit board materials and increased process temperatures of Lead-Free solders, have all contributed to a more frequent occurrence of Pad Crater damage in circuit board materials during manufacturing and test processes. This paper addresses the methodology and test data of some common industry methods used to evaluate Pad Crater strength in circuit board materials. Pad Crater test data is highly sensitive to sample design; as a result a discussion of sample design criteria is also included.


Author(s):  
Arun Gowda ◽  
Anthony Primavera ◽  
K. Srihari

The implementation of lead-free solder into an electronics assembly process necessitates the reassessment of the individual factors involved in component attachment and rework. A component assembly undergoes multiple thermal cycles during rework. With the use of lead-free solder, the assemblies are subjected to higher assembly and rework temperatures than those required for eutectic tin-lead assemblies. The rework of lead-free area array components involves the removal of defective component, preparation of the printed circuit board attachment pad (site redressing), solder paste replenishment or flux deposition, and component placement and reflow. This paper primarily focuses on the site redressing aspect of lead-free rework, followed by the development of rework processes for lead-free chip scale packages utilizing the knowledge gained in the site redressing studies.


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