Al Wiring Alloy Composition for High-Temperature Bond Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aluminum wiring materials used in industrial devices and semiconductor devices face challenges in maintaining high-temperature reliability and workability due to softening at elevated temperatures, leading to potential disconnection and reduced bonding strength, especially under repetitive thermal stress and high-voltage cycling.

Innovation Solution

An Al wiring material composition containing Mg and Si within specific ranges, combined with Sc, Er, Yb, Gd, Ce, or Y, and optionally Zr, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, and Zn, which allows for improved high-temperature reliability and workability through low-temperature or short-time heat treatments, reducing the risk of cracking and peeling-off during thermal cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high purity Al is used as wiring material, then electrical conductivity is improved, but softening occurs in high temperature environment leading to reduced strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidstrength in high temperature environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses Al-Si-Mg alloy composite material instead of high purity Al. The specific composition (Si: 0.03-0.8 wt%, Mg: 0.03-0.2 wt%) creates a composite structure that combines the high electrical conductivity of Al with the strength-enhancing effects of Si and Mg, preventing softening at high temperatures while maintaining conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the wiring material by adding controlled amounts of Si and Mg elements. This parameter modification transforms the material properties to achieve both high electrical conductivity and high-temperature strength, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If strength of wiring material is increased by adding elements, then high temperature reliability is improved, but workability and bondability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh temperature reliabilityVSAvoidworkability and bondability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely controls the composition parameters (Si: 0.03-0.8 wt%, Mg: 0.03-0.2 wt%) to achieve the optimal balance. This controlled parameter change provides sufficient high-temperature reliability while keeping the material workable and bondable, avoiding the deterioration that occurs with excessive element addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality enhancement by adding small, controlled amounts of Si and Mg specifically to the Al matrix. This localized compositional modification provides the necessary strength and high-temperature reliability without uniformly compromising the overall workability and bondability of the wiring material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If heat treatment is performed to improve high temperature reliability, then strength is improved, but productivity decreases and thermal stress on connected parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh temperature strengthVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates strength-enhancing elements (Si and Mg) directly into the wiring material composition during manufacturing, providing high-temperature strength in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent heat treatment processes, thereby improving productivity and avoiding thermal stress on connected components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the heat treatment step from the manufacturing process by incorporating the strength-enhancing function directly into the material composition. This removal of the heat treatment process improves productivity and eliminates the associated thermal stress issues while maintaining high-temperature strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The proposed Al wiring material achieves enhanced bonding strength and high-temperature reliability, maintaining performance even after 100,000 power cycles, while allowing for reduced heat treatment temperatures and times, thus improving productivity and reducing thermal stress on connected components.

Implementation Method 1

containing Mg and Si so as to satisfy 0.05≤x1a≤2.5, 0.02≤x1b≤1, and 0.1≤(x1a+x1b)≤3 where x1a is a content of Mg [% by mass] and x1b is a content of Si [% by mass]

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolid solution strengthening: Solid Solution Strengthening

Implementation Method 2

Patent Literature 2 discloses an Al bonding wire the mechanical strength of which is improved by adding scandium (Sc) of 0.05 to 1% by weight to Al to be precipitation-hardened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation hardening: Precipitation Hardening

Implementation Method 3

containing one or more selected from the group consisting of Sc, Er, Yb, Gd, Ce and Y so as to satisfy 0.001≤x2≤0.5 where x2 is a total content thereof [% by mass]

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion strengthening:

Implementation Method 4

allows for improved high-temperature reliability and workability through low-temperature or short-time heat treatments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS20230302584A1Al WIRING MATERIAL
Publication Date: 2023.09.28 NIPPON MICROMETAL CORPORATION

AI summary

There is provided a novel Al wiring material that achieves a favorable high-temperature reliability as well as a favorable workability and bondability during installation and connection to a device. The Al wiring material contains Mg and Si so as to satisfy 0.05≤x1a≤2.5, 0.02≤x1b≤1, and 0.1≤(x1a+x1b)≤3 where x1a is a content of Mg [% by mass] and x1b is a content of Si [% by mass], and contains one or more selected from the group consisting of Sc, Er, Yb, Gd, Ce and Y so as to satisfy 0.001≤x2≤0.5 where x2 is a total content thereof [% by mass], with the balance comprising Al.