Technical Library | 2019-05-01 23:18:27.0
Moisture can accelerate various failure mechanisms in printed circuit board assemblies. Moisture can be initially present in the epoxy glass prepreg, absorbed during the wet processes in printed circuit board manufacturing, or diffuse into the printed circuit board during storage. Moisture can reside in the resin, resin/glass interfaces, and micro-cracks or voids due to defects. Higher reflow temperatures associated with lead-free processing increase the vapor pressure, which can lead to higher amounts of moisture uptake compared to eutectic tin-lead reflow processes. In addition to cohesive or adhesive failures within the printed circuit board that lead to cracking and delamination, moisture can also lead to the creation of low impedance paths due to metal migration, interfacial degradation resulting in conductive filament formation, and changes in dimensional stability. Studies have shown that moisture can also reduce the glass-transition temperature and increase the dielectric constant, leading to a reduction in circuit switching speeds and an increase in propagation delay times. This paper provides an overview of printed circuit board fabrication, followed by a brief discussion of moisture diffusion processes, governing models, and dependent variables. We then present guidelines for printed circuit board handling and storage during various stages of production and fabrication so as to mitigate moisture-induced failures.
Technical Library | 2020-03-26 14:55:29.0
This paper introduces line confocal technology that was recently developed to characterize 3D features of various surface and material types at sub-micron resolution. It enables automatic microtopographic 3D imaging of challenging objects that are difficult or impossible to scan with traditional methods, such as machine vision or laser triangulation.Examples of well-suited applications for line confocal technology include glossy, mirror-like, transparent and multi-layered surfaces made of metals (connector pins, conductor traces, solder bumps etc.), polymers (adhesives, enclosures, coatings, etc.), ceramics (components, substrates, etc.) and glass (display panels, etc.). Line confocal sensors operate at high speed and can be used to scan fast-moving surfaces in real-time as well as stationary product samples in the laboratory. The operational principle of the line confocal method and its strengths and limitations are discussed.Three metrology applications for the technology in electronics product manufacturing are examined: 1. 3D imaging of etched PCBs for micro-etched copper surface roughness and cross-sectional profile and width of etched traces/pads. 2. Thickness, width and surface roughness measurement of conductive ink features and substrates in printed electronics applications. 3. 3D imaging of adhesive dots and lines for shape, dimensions and volume in PCB and product assembly applications.
Technical Library | 2021-05-13 16:03:25.0
Sn-based lead-free solders such as Sn-Ag-Cu, Sn-Cu, and Sn-Bi have been used extensively for a long time in the electronic packaging field. Recently, low-temperature Sn-Bi solder alloys attract much attention from industries for flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) applications. Low melting temperatures of Sn-Bi solders avoid warpage wherein printed circuit board and electronic parts deform or deviate from the initial state due to their thermal mismatch during soldering. However, the addition of alloying elements and nanoparticles Sn-Bi solders improves the melting temperature, wettability, microstructure, and mechanical properties. Improving the brittleness of the eutecticSn-58wt%Bi solder alloy by grain refinement of the Bi-phase becomes a hot topic. In this paper, literature studies about melting temperature, microstructure, inter-metallic thickness, and mechanical properties of Sn-Bi solder alloys upon alloying and nanoparticle addition are reviewed
Technical Library | 2021-09-15 19:00:35.0
This paper presents the use of physics of failure (PoF) methodology to infer fast and accurate lifetime predictions for power electronics at the printed circuit board (PCB) level in early design stages. It is shown that the ability to accurately model silicon–metal layers, semiconductor packaging, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and assemblies allows, for instance, the prediction of solder fatigue failure due to thermal, mechanical, and manufacturing conditions. The technique allows a lifecycle prognosis of the PCB, taking into account the environmental stresses it will encounter during the period of operation. Primarily, it involves converting an electronic computer aided design (eCAD) circuit layout into computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) models with accurate geometries. From this, stressors, such as thermal cycling, mechanical shock, natural frequency, and harmonic and random vibrations, are applied to understand PCB degradation, and semiconductor and capacitor wear, and accordingly provide a method for high-fidelity power PCB modelling, which can be subsequently used to facilitate virtual testing and digital twinning for aircraft systems and sub-systems.
Technical Library | 2023-02-13 19:14:03.0
Technology Focus: Develop and evaluate nanoparticle filled conformal coatings designed to provide long term whisker penetration resistance and coverage on tin rich metal surfaces prone to whisker growth in commercial lead-free electronics used in modern DoD systems. Research Objectives: Identify the fundamental mechanisms by which conformal coatings provide long-term tin whisker penetration resistance and inhibit nucleation/growth. Correlate mechanical properties and coverage thickness to whisker penetration resistance. Project Progress and Results: Functionalized nanosilica and non-functional nanoalumina enhanced polyurethane conformal coatings have shown improved spray coating coverage characteristics and crack resistance during thermal cycling fatigue testing. Lead-free assembly whisker mitigation validation testing is in process. Technology Transition: Current project partners provide coating materials to industry. SERDP test data will be considered during updates to the DoD adopted IPC standards for coating materials and coverage.
Technical Library | 2023-03-27 19:18:38.0
Electronic waste (e-waste) is currently the fastest growing hazardous waste stream that continues to be a challenging concern for the global environment and public health. The average useful life of electronic products has continued to decline, and obsolete products are being stored or discarded with increasing frequency. E-waste is hazardous, complex and expensive to treat in an environmentally sound manner. As a result, new challenges related to the management of e-waste have become apparent. Most electronic products contain a combination of hazardous materials, toxic materials, and valuable elements such as precious metals and rare earth elements. There are risks to human health associated with the disposal of E-waste in landfills, or treatment by incineration. Americans discard 400+ million electronic items per year recycling less than 20 percent in safe and sustainable manner. E-waste is exported from developed countries and processed informally using unsafe conditions in many regions of developing countries. A mixture of pollutants is released from these informal rudimentary operations. Exposure to e-waste recycling includes the dismantling of used electronics and the use of hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes, which emit toxic chemicals, to retrieve valuable components. Thermal analysis integrated with chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques are used to determine dangerous chemicals emitted during the burning of e-waste. The information is used to assess the risk of exposure of workers at these semi-formal recycling centers.
Technical Library | 2019-10-18 10:37:25.0
It usually does not make any logic to invest in costly fabrication equipment in case you just desire to spin some prototypes and rather outsource your Printed Circuit Board assembly as well as prototype fabrication to a trustworthy vendor. I would provide a few tips as to what to consider when seeking a contract manufacturer. The two most common procedures associated with Printed Circuit Board Assembly are through-hole technology and surface mount technology. Talking about the difference between through-hole technology and surface mount technology. Through-hole elements have metal leads, & these metal leads are supplied through-plated holes inside the circuit board. On the other hand, SMT elements might or might not have leads, nevertheless most significantly, they are developed to be soldered onto the surface of the circuit boards straight on the same side as the element body. A lot of contract manufacturers would provide a quick quote mechanism over their site for the fabrication of circuit boards as well as assembly of prototypes. This would bank your time when comparing various vendors. Ensure that the quote system facilitates you to fill your details, for instance, board material, thickness, copper thickness, milling, etc. in order that you can avail of a precise quote devoid of any surprises afterward. And this is quite necessary. Typically the cost per board would decline as quality upgrades. This is owing to the fairly high setup price of circuit board fabrication over and above component assembly. A few vendors would employ a system where they unite boards from various consumers. This manner the setup price would be circulated among numerous clients. When you fabricate an item, you clearly don’t desire to have to fabricate a big quantity of boards straight away whilst you improve your design. One restriction with small quantity prototypes though is that the option of materials & material thicknesses would be constrained. In case you are employing a particular material then opportunities are there will not be any other clients employing the same material. Additionally, lead time plays a major role in indecisive prices. A longer lead time facilitates the fabricator more liberty in slotting your fabrication. This is basically reflected in cheaper prices that would view in the quote section. Clearly, if you are in a hurry and desire to be moved to the summit of the pile you would require splurging more dollars. Ensure that your contract fabricator would support the file sort for producing which you offer. The most general format for printed circuit board fabrication is the Gerber format nonetheless a few vendors would moreover embrace board files from general printed circuit board software products. A few suppliers also provide in house printed circuit design. Even in case, you create your board yourself, choosing a vendor with design services might prove resourceful in case there is an issue with your files. In this scenario, your vendor could make swift changes that would neglect pricey delays. If you are looking for an Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS Assembly) provider, then the web is the best to search.
Technical Library | 2019-11-15 02:20:26.0
Material Aging Test-UV Weathering Test Chamber 1.What is UV aging? UV aging chambers use fluorescent ultraviolet lamp as light source to simulate UV radiation and condensation in natural sunlight, and to carry out accelerated weather resistance test in order to obtain the result of weather resistance of the material. UV aging detection is widely used in non-metallic materials, organic materials (such as coatings, paints, rubber, plastics and their products) under the change of sunlight, humidity, temperature, condensation and other climatic conditions to test the aging degree and situation of related products and materials. 2.Why we should do UV aging test? When the product is placed in the ambient environment, there will be different problems taken place, such as appearance changes, including cracking, speckle, powdering or color change, and even performance degradation,which may be due to the loss of components in the resin resulting in chemical bonds changes inside the molecular structure, this is mainly caused by sunlight, industrial exclusion of waste gas, bacteria and so on. The aging performance of the product directly affects the lifespan of the product, so aging test become significant,non-metallic materials, organic materials (such as paints, paints, rubber, plastics and their products) are subject to changes in sunlight, humidity, temperature, condensation and other climatic conditions to test the degree and condition of aging of related products and materials. The natural aging test is to put the plastic specimen under the sun exposure, and it is directly under the natural climate environment,to test the material performance under various factors such as light, heat energy, atmospheric humidity, oxygen and ozone, industrial pollution and the like, the most harsh climate condition should be selected,or near the actual application area of the material, the test site shall be open and flat, no obstacle to affect the test results,the specimen holder shall be facing the equator and at an angle of 45 ° from the ground. When the main performance index of the specimen has been reduced, the test s/b terminated when it achieve the minimum allowable use value . in most case,the test is terminated when the product primary performance index falls to 50% of the initial value. The natural aging process is a very slow process, and there is a great difference in different geographical conditions, which brings difficulties to evaluate the aging resistance of the product. It is an attempt to make an evaluation of the aging performance of the plastic in a shorter time,that is accelerated aging test. The accelerated aging test can be used to simulate the human light source of the fluorescent lamp, including the carbon arc lamp, the xenon arc lamp and the fluorescent ultraviolet lamp, and the artificial light sources can generate more light than the natural sunlight on the ground. When these artificial light sources are used, it is also common to use the combination of the condenser to simulate the rain drop, the dew and the like to conduct the aging test on the product.
Technical Library | 2019-11-20 22:44:25.0
Salt spray test chamber is used to test teh salt corrosion resistance ability of hardware, metal and other auto parts,the chamber can quickly detect the corrosion resistance degree of products in the temperature, humidity and salt spraying environment, which can effectively improve production efficiency. So what is the reason why such a salt spray test chamber does not spray? As per our past maintenance experience,there are below reasons,customers can have a look,hope it is helpful: 1, the spray tower is blocked; 2, water pipes clogged, water flow can not go in; 3, the air compressor stops running,pls open the air compressor button; 4, main switch of the air compressor outlet is not turned on,pls turn on. 5, the solenoid valve fails, the pressure meter is broken or the pressure is too low, pls check with Climatest and repair it. 6, when the nozzle is clogged, the nozzle should be carefully removed and cleaned,because it is fragile. 7, if the spray pressure is normal, the position of the nozzle glass is also correct, but what is the reason for not spraying? In this case, it is necessary to carefully observe whether there is dirt at the contact surface of the nozzle. If so, clean up the dirt and the spray can be carried out normally. That‘s all we‘re going to talk about today. If you have any questions, follow us on facebook, Please feel free to ask us questions.
Technical Library | 2022-08-08 15:06:06.0
Selective soldering has evolved to become a standard production process within the electronics assembly industry, and now accommodates a wide variety of through-hole component formats in numerous applications. Most through-hole components can be easily soldered with the selective soldering process without difficulty however some types of challenging components require additional attention to ensure that optimum quality is maintained. Several high thermal mass components can place demands on the selective soldering process, while the use of specialized solder fixtures, or solder pallets, often places additional thermal demand on the preheating process. Fine-pitch through-hole components and connectors place a different set of demands on the selective soldering process and typically require special attention to lead projection and traverse speed to minimize bridging between adjacent pins. Dual in-line memory module (DIMM) connectors, compact peripheral component interface (cPCI) connectors, coax connectors and other high thermal mass components as well as fine-pitch microconnectors, can present challenges when soldered into backplanes or multilayer printed circuit board assemblies. Adding to this challenge, compact peripheral component interface connectors can present additional solderability issues because of their beryllium copper base metal pins. Key Terms: Selective soldering, drop-jet fluxing, sustained preheating, flux migration, adjacent clearance, lead-to-hole aspect ratio, lead projection, thermal reliefs, gold embrittlement, solderability testing.
