Abstract
In the present study, the wettability and interfacial tension between (bare Cu, electroless Ni/cu, immersion Au/Ni/Cu) substrates and indium solder were investigated as a function of soldering temperature, types of flux. The wettability of In solder increased with soldering temperature and solid content of flux. The wettability of In solder was affected by the substrate metal finish used, i.e., nickel, gold and copper. On the bare Cu substrate, In solder wet better than any of the substrate metal finishes tested. Intermetallic compound formation between liquid solder and substrate reduced the interfacial energy and improved wettability. For the identification of intermetallic compounds, X-Ray Diffraction(LRD) were employed. Experimental results showed that the intermetallic compounds, such as Cu11In9 and In27Ni10 are observed f3r different substrates respectively. The wetting kinetics is investigated by measuring wetting time with the wetting balance technique. The activation energy of wetting calculated for the In solder/cu substrate and In solder/electroless Au/Ni/Cu substrate are 36.13 and 27.36 kJ/mol, respectively.