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Method for preserving solderability and inhibiting whisker growth in tin surfaces of electronic components

A technology of electronic components and tin whiskers, applied in the performance field of electronic components, can solve problems such as short circuit of electrical contacts

Active Publication Date: 2009-10-07
ENTHONE INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Tin whiskers in the tin layer can cause short circuits between electrical contacts

Method used

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  • Method for preserving solderability and inhibiting whisker growth in tin surfaces of electronic components
  • Method for preserving solderability and inhibiting whisker growth in tin surfaces of electronic components
  • Method for preserving solderability and inhibiting whisker growth in tin surfaces of electronic components

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0035] Five samples were obtained by electroplating a suitable nickel first metal layer onto a C19400 copper alloy substrate using a Sulfamex MLS electrodeposition system available from Enthone Corporation (West Haven, CT, USA). For this purpose, prepare an electrolyzer in deionized water comprising the following components:

[0036] Ni(NH 2 SO 3 ) 2 319-383g / L

[0037] NiCl 2 *6H 2 O 5-15g / L

[0038] h 3 BO 3 20-40g / L

[0039] CH 3 (CH 2 ) 11 OSO 3 Na 0.2-0.4g / L

[0040] The pH of the electrolyzer is maintained between approximately 2.0-2.5. The electrolyte is maintained between approximately 55°C-65°C. Keep the current density at about 20A / ft 2 -300A / ft 2 The time in between is long enough to attach a nickel alloy first metal layer approximately 2 microns thick.

[0041] A layer of sulfonium tin alloy was then electroplated on each of the five samples using the STANNOSTAR electroplating system available from Enthone Cor...

example 2

[0047] Five samples prepared according to Example 1 were subjected to 1000 thermal shock cycles from about -55°C to about 85°C. 7-11 are photomicrographs of samples after thermal shock testing. Figure 7a and 7b 1000X and 500X photomicrographs showing, respectively, numerous large-sized tin whiskers growing in a sample with a 10 micron thick tin alloy layer. Figure 8a and 8b 1000X and 500X photomicrographs showing, respectively, a small number of prominently sized tin whiskers growing in a sample with a 3 micron thick tin alloy layer. Figure 9a and 9b Micrographs at 1000X and 500X, respectively, showing few tin whiskers of negligible size growing in a sample with a 2 micron thick tin alloy layer. Figure 10a and 10b Micrographs at 1000X and 500X, respectively, show little tin whisker growth in a sample with a 1 micron thick tin alloy layer. Similarly, Figure 11a and 11b 1000X and 500X photomicrographs showing no whisker growth in the sample with a 0.5 micron thick t...

example 3

[0049] Figure 12 A graph comparing the whisker index (WI) of five samples prepared according to Example 1 after being subjected to the thermal shock test of Example 2 is shown. The WI of a tin alloy layer is defined as a function of the number, length, diameter, and "weight factor" of whiskers in a given area of ​​the sample. The weighting factor is used to differentiate between short and long whiskers. Here, 500X photomicrographs were used to determine WI for each of five samples: 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b, and lib. Such as Figure 12 As shown, WI increases significantly from a value close to 0 for the 2 micron sample, to a value close to 825 for the 3 micron sample, and to even larger values ​​for tin-based layers greater than about 3 micron thick.

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Abstract

A method for reducing whisker formation in a tin layer and maintaining solderability of the tin layer on a metal part of an electronic component. The tin layer has internal tensile stress and has a thickness between about 0.5-4.0 microns. Underneath the tin layer there is a nickel base layer.

Description

Technical field: [0001] The present invention generally relates to a method for improving the integrity of tin layers and thereby improving the performance of electronic components utilizing metal components having tin layers. The invention further relates to a method for suppressing the formation of whiskers in a tin layer on a metal part of an electronic component. Leads such as lead frames, electrical connectors, and passive components such as chip capacitors and chip resistors often have metal parts with tin layers attached. Background technique: [0002] For much of its history the electronics industry has relied on tin-lead solders to make connections in electronic components. Under environmental, competitive, and market pressures, the electronics industry is turning to lead-free alternative solders. Pure tin is a preferred replacement solder due to the simplicity of the single metal system, the excellent physical properties of tin, and the proven history of tin as a...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(China)
IPC IPC(8): H05K3/34H01L23/495H01R13/03C25D5/12
CPCH01L2924/0002H01L2224/48247H01L2924/19041H01L2224/49171
Inventor 徐晨张云范崇伦奥斯卡·卡萨列夫约瑟夫·A·阿拜斯埃瑞克·沃茨玛丽斯·克雷尼菲尔德汉斯·乌瑞奇·埃克特
Owner ENTHONE INC