• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.61-68
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• 2023

In this study, Sn-3.5Ag-15.0Fe composite solder was manufactured and applied to TLP bonding to change the entire joint into a Sn-Fe IMC(intermetallic compound), thereby applying it as a high-temperature solder. The FeSn₂ IMC formed during the bonding process has a high melting point of 513℃, so it can be stably applied to power modules for power semiconductors where the temperature rises up to 280℃ during use. As a result of applying ENIG surface treatment to both the chip and substrate, a multi-layer IMC structure of Ni₃Sn₄/FeSn₂/Ni₃Sn₄ was formed at the joint. During the shear test, the fracture path showed that cracks developed at the Ni₃Sn₄/FeSn₂ interface and then propagated into FeSn₂. After 2hours of the TLP joining process, a shear strength of over 30 MPa was obtained, and in particular, there was no decrease in strength at all even in a shear test at 200℃. The results of this study can be expected to lead to materials and processes that can be applied to power modules for electric vehicles, which are being actively researched recently.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.481-486
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• 2010

ENIG (electroless Ni immersion gold) is one of surface finishing which has been most widely used in fine pitch SMT (surface mount technology) and BGA (ball grid array) packaging process. The reliability for package bondability is mainly affected by interfacial reaction between solder and surface finishing. Since the behavior of IMC (intermetallic compound), or the interfacial reaction between Ni and solder, affects to some product reliabilities such as solderability and bondability, understanding behavior of IMC should be important issue. Thus, we studied the properties of ENIG with P contents (9 wt% and 13 wt%), where the P contents is one of main factors in formation of IMC layer. The effect of P content was discussed using the results obtained from FE-SEM(field-emission scanning electron microscope), EPMA(electron probe micro analyzer), EDS(energy dispersive spectroscopy) and Dual-FIB(focused ion beam). Especially, we observed needle type irregular IMC layer with decreasing Ni contents under high P contents (13 wt%). Also, we found how IMC layer affects to bondability with forming continuous Kirkendall voids and thick P-rich layer.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2017

In this paper, we evaluated the solderability of thin electroless nickel-electroless palladium-immersion gold (ENEPIG) plating layer for fine-pitch package applications. Firstly, the wetting behavior, interfacial reactions, and mechanical reliability of a Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) solder alloy on a thin ENEPIG coated substrate were evaluated. In the wetting test, maximum wetting force increased with increasing immersion time, and the wetting force remained a constant value after 5 s immersion time. In the initial soldering reaction, $(Cu,Ni)_6Sn_5$ intermetallic compound (IMC) and P-rich Ni layer formed at the SAC305/ENEPIG interface. After a prolonged reaction, the P-rich Ni layer was destroyed, and $(Cu,Ni)_3Sn$ IMC formed underneath the destroyed P-rich Ni layer. In the high-speed shear test, the percentage of brittle fracture increased with increasing shear speed.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.74-80
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• 2014

Due to environmental regulations (RoHS, WEEE and ELV) of the European Union, electronics and automotive electronics have to eliminate toxic substance from their devices and system. Especially, reliability issue of lead-free solder joint is increasing in car electronics due to ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) banning from 2016. We have prepared engine control unit (ECU) modules soldered with Sn-40Pb and Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) solders, respectively. Degradation characteristics of solder joint strength were compared with various conditions of automobile environment such as cabin and engine room. Thermal cycle test (TC, $-40^{\circ}C$ ~ ($85^{\circ}C$ and $125^{\circ}C$), 1500 cycles) were conducted with automotive company standard. To compare shear strength degradation rate with eutectic and Pb-free solder alloy, we measured shear strength of chip components and its size from cabin and engine ECU modules. Based on the TC test results, finally, we have known the difference of degradation level with solder alloys and use environmental conditions. Solder joints degradation rate of engine room ECU is superior to cabin ECU due to large CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) mismatch in field condition. Degradation rate of engine room ECU is 50~60% larger than cabin room electronics.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.43-49
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• 2019

In this study, a new approach using graphene oxide (GO) powder-composited Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu(in wt.%) solder paste for improving the bending reliability of solder joints between a flexible substrate and small outline package (SOP) was suggested. The GO addition slightly affected the melting temperature, however, the change in the melting temperature was not significant. Meanwhile, we observed the addition of GO could suppress IMC growth and IMC thickness of solder joint during the reflow process. Moreover, the cyclic bending test was also performed for evaluation of reliability in solder joint and we could improve the cyclic bending reliability of solder joint by adding GO powders. For 0.2 wt.% of GO added to the solder joint, the bending lifetime was increased to 20% greater than that without GO. Pull strength and ductility of the solder joint with GO were also higher than those of the joint without GO and it was assumed that this effect by adding GO could contribute to improve cyclic bending reliability of solder joint.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2009

The use of portable devices has created the need for new reliability criterion of drop impact tests because of the tendency to accidentally drop in the use of these devices. The effects of different PCB surface finishes (organic solderability preservative (OSP) and electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG)) and high temperature storage (HTS) test on the drop reliability were studied. Various drop test conditions were used to evaluate a drop reliability of assemblies to endure such impact and shock load. In the case of the as-reflowed samples (no HTS test), the SAC/OSP boards exhibited a better drop impact reliability than that of SAC/ENIG. However, the reverse was true if HTS test is performed. In addition, significant decrease of drop reliability was observed for both SAC/ENIG and SAC/OSP assemblies after HTS test. It was also observed that the thickness of intermetallic compound layer do play an important role in the brittle fracture of drop test.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

Understanding the void characterization in the solder joints has become more important because of the application of lead free solder materials and its reliability in electronic packaging technology. According to the JEDEC 217 standard, it describes void types formed in the solder joints, and divides into some categories depending on the void position and formation cause. Based on the previous papers and the standards related to the void, reliability of the BGA solder joints is determined by the size of void, as well as the location of void inside the BGA solder ball. Prior to reflow soldering process, OSP(organic surface preservative) finished Cu electrode was exposed under $85^{\circ}C$/60%RH(relative humidity) for 168 h. Voids induced by the exposure of $85^{\circ}C$/60%RH became larger and bigger with increasing aging times. The void position has more influence on mechanical strength property than the amount of void growth does.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.337-343
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• 2009

In this study, we optimized Pb-free Sn/Ni plating thickness and conditions were optimized to counteract the environmental regulations, such as RoHS and ELV(End-of Life Vehicles). The $B_{10}$ life verification method was also suggested to have been successful when used with the accelerated life test(ALT) for assessing Pb-free solder joint life of piezoelectric (PZT) ceramic resonator. In order to evaluate the solder joint life, a modified Norris-Landzberg equation and a Coffin-Manson equation were utilized. Test vehicles that were composed of 2520 PZT ceramic resonator on FR-4 PCB with Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu for ALT were manufactured as well. Thermal shock test was conducted with 1,500 cycles from $(-40{\pm}2)^{\circ}C$ to $(120{\pm}2)^{\circ}C$, and 30 minutes dwell time at each temperature, respectively. It was discovered that the thermal shock test is a very useful method in introducing the CTE mismatch caused by thermo-mechanical stress at the solder joints. The resonance frequency of test components was measured and observed the microsection views were also observed to confirm the crack generation of the solder joints.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.1018-1024
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• 1999

The effects of operating temperature and stress on degradation of components in high temperature steam generator were investigated. Several 2.25CrlMo tubes which had operated over 20 years and an unused 9CrlMoVNb tube were tested. For the former samples, the amount of $\textrm{M}_{6}\textrm{C}$ carbide and its size are increased with the aging or operating time. The precipitation behavior of carbides ($\textrm{M}_{2}\textrm{O}$, $\textrm{M}_{6}\textrm{C}$) is changed with the operating temperature of the tubes. However, unused 9CrlMoVNb samples show a different carbide precipitation process due to high chromium, vanadium, and niobium contents. The amount of Cr-rich $\textrm{M}_{23}\textrm{C}_{6}$ carbide is significantly increased with aging time, but that of $\textrm{M}_{6}\textrm{C}$ type carbide is rarely changed with aging time at elevated temperatures.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.206-208
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• 2006

The reliability of BGA (ball grid array) package with OSP (organic surface preservative) surface finish under thermal cycle was investigated by using SEM (scanning electron microscopy), EDS(energy dispersive spectroscopy), image tool and ball shear test. The IMCs (intermetallic compounds) were increased with increasing number of thermal cycles. However, the shear strengths of solder ball were decreased with increasing number of thermal cycles. The order of solders which had the highest shear strength as follow: Sn-3.5wt%Ag-0.7wt%Cu, Sn-0.7wt%Cu, Sn-37wt%Pb.