Technical Library | 2023-09-26 19:14:44.0
The transition from tin-lead to lead free soldering in the electronics manufacturing industry has been in progress for the past 10 years. In the interim period before lead free assemblies are uniformly accepted, mixed formulation solder joints are becoming commonplace in electronic assemblies. For example, area array components (BGA/CSP) are frequently available only with lead free Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) solder balls. Such parts are often assembled to printed circuit boards using traditional 63Sn-37Pb solder paste. The resulting solder joints contain unusual quaternary alloys of Sn, Ag, Cu, and Pb. In addition, the alloy composition can vary across the solder joint based on the paste to ball solder volumes and the reflow profile utilized. The mechanical and physical properties of such Sn-Ag-Cu-Pb alloys have not been explored extensively in the literature. In addition, the reliability of mixed formulation solder joints is poorly understood.
Technical Library | 2020-10-27 02:02:17.0
Solder powder size is a popular topic in the electronics industry due to the continuing trend of miniaturization of electronics. The question commonly asked is "when should we switch from Type 3 to a smaller solder powder?" Solder powder size is usually chosen based on the printing requirements for the solder paste. It is common practice to use IPC Type 4 or 5 solder powders for stencil designs that include area ratios below the recommended IPC limit of 0.66. The effects of solder powder size on printability of solder paste have been well documented. The size of the solder powder affects the performance of the solder paste in other ways. Shelf life, stencil life, reflow performance, voiding behavior, and reactivity / stability are all affected by solder powder size. Testing was conducted to measure each of these solder paste performance attributes for IPC Type 3, Type 4, Type 5 and Type 6 SAC305 solder powders in both water soluble and no clean solder pastes. The performance data for each size of solder powder in each solder paste flux was quantified and summarized. Guidance for choosing the optimal size of solder powder is given based on the results of this study.
Technical Library | 2017-07-13 16:16:27.0
Controlled humidity and temperature controlled surface insulation resistance (SIR) measurements of flux covered test vehicles, subject to a direct current (D.C.) bias voltage are recognized by a number of global standards organizations as the preferred method to determine if no clean solder paste and wave soldering flux residues are suitable for reliable electronic assemblies. The IPC, Japanese Industry Standard (JIS), Deutsches Institut fur Normung (DIN) and International Electrical Commission (IEC) all have industry reviewed standards using similar variations of this measurement. (...) This study will compare the results from testing two solder pastes using the IPC-J-STD-004B, IPC TM-650 2.6.3.7 surface insulation resistance test, and IPC TM-650 2.3.25 in an attempt to investigate the correlation of ROSE methods as predictors of electronic assembly electrical reliability.
Technical Library | 2016-09-01 16:21:11.0
Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu (SAC305) is currently the most popular near eutectic lead-free alloy used in the manufacturing processes. Over the last several years, the price of silver has dramatically increased driving a desire for lower silver alloy alternatives. As a result, there is a significant increase in the number of alternative low/no silver lead-free solder alloys available in the industry recently. Our previous study showed that many alternative low silver solder paste materials had good printing and wetting performance as compared to SAC305 solder pastes. However, there is lack of information on the reliability of alternative alloy solder joints assembled using alternative low silver alloy solder pastes.In this paper, we will present the reliability study of lead-free solder joints reflowed using various lead-free alloy solder pastes after thermal cycling test (3000 cycles, 0°C to 100°C). Six different lead-free pastes were investigated. SAC305 solder joints were used as the control. Low and no silver solder pastes and a low temperature SnBiAg solder pastes were also included.
Technical Library | 2013-03-12 13:25:18.0
High density and miniaturized circuit assemblies challenge the solder paste printing process. The use of small components such as 0201, 01005 and μBGA devices require good paste release to prevent solder paste bridging and misalignment. When placing these miniaturized components, taller paste deposits are often required. To improve solder paste deposition, a nano-coating is applied to laser cut stencils to improve transfer efficiency. One concern is the compatibility of the nano-coating with cleaning agents used in understencil wipe and stencil cleaning. The purpose of this research is to test the chemical compatibility of common cleaning agents used in understencil wipe and stencil cleaning processes.Compatibility of Cleaning Agents With Nano-Coated Stencils
Technical Library | 2007-01-03 16:36:58.0
Solder paste dispensing is not a new process. However, today's microelectronics present a daunting array of technical challenges to meet deposit size requirements. The need for better paste formulations, more precise equipment, and more tightly controlled processes is driving paste suppliers and equipment suppliers to develop new methods and materials. The most challenging solder paste deposits are those smaller than 0.25mm in diameter and today’s electronics demand such deposits. This paper addresses the process requirements for solder paste micro-deposits in terms of material, equipment and process variable control required for success in producing 0.25mm and smaller deposits.
Technical Library | 2009-09-09 15:08:19.0
Stencil printing equipment has traditionally been used in the surface mount assembly industry for solder paste printing. In recent years the flexibility of the tool has been exploited for a wide range of materials and processes to aid semiconductor packaging and assembly. One such application has been the deposition of adhesive coatings onto the backside of silicon wafers.
Technical Library | 2017-09-28 16:36:33.0
These nano-coatings also refine the solder paste brick shape giving improved print definition. These two benefits combine to help the solder paste printing process produce an adequate amount of solder paste in the correct position on the circuit board pads. Today, stencil aperture area ratios from 0.66 down to 0.40 are commonly used and make paste printing a challenge. This paper presents data on small area ratio printing for component designs including 01005 Imperial (0402 metric) and smaller 03015 metric and 0201 metric chip components and 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm pitch micro BGAs.
Technical Library | 2014-06-19 18:13:23.0
For high-density electronic packaging,the application of flip-chip solder joints has been well received in the microelectronics industry. High-lead(Pb) solders such as Sn5Pb95 are presently granted immunity from the RoHS requirements for their use in high-end flip-chip devices, especially in military applications. In flip-chip technology for consumer electronic products, organic substrates have replaced ceramic substrates due to the demand for less weight and low cost. However, the liquidus temperatures of high-Pb solders are over 300°C which would damage organic substrates during reflow because of the low glass transition temperature. To overcome this difficulty, the composite solder approach was developed...
Technical Library | 2018-03-21 22:44:30.0
Solder paste printing is the first step in the surface mount manufacturing process for PCBA assembly. When the solder paste printing process is uncontrolled, defects can be produced, which may not become apparent until the PCBA is downstream. (...)This paper will discuss how Lean Six Sigma techniques were used to optimize the solder paste printing process. It will highlight how a cross-functional team used the structured Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) methodology to identify and control the critical inputs. The advantage of the Lean Six Sigma methodology is that it guides the team through the rigorous structured process so that all possible inputs are considered and the critical ones can be identified.
