Technical Library | 2010-07-08 19:49:59.0
Aging characteristics of new lead free solder alloys are in question by many experts because of higher amount of tin’s effect on the diffusion of other metals, primarily copper, to create undesirable boundary intermetallics over long periods of time and even moderately elevated temperatures. A primary layer of intermetallics, Cu6Sn5 forms as the liquid solder makes contact with the solid copper substrate. This reaction however ceases as the solder temperature falls below that of liquidus. A secondary intermetallic Cu3Sn1, an undesirable weak and brittle layer, is thought to form over time and may be accelerated by even mildly elevated temperatures in electronic modules such as laptops under power. This project was designed to quantify the growth rate of Cu3Sn1 over an extended period of time in a thermal environment similar to a laptop in the power on mode.
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