Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

An investigation of copper dissolution and the formation of intermetallic compounds in molten tin and tin-silver solders

  • M. Faizan
  • , R. A. McCoy
  • , D. C. Lin
  • , T. S. Srivatsan
  • , G. X. Wang
  • Youngstown State University
  • University of Akron

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study of copper dissolution in molten tin and tin-silver (Sn-Ag) solders and the formation and presence of the Cu-Sn intermetallic compound at solder/copper interfaces. During the experiments, copper (99.9% pure) samples, coated with a RMA flux, were dipped vertically in a molten solder for different time periods ranging from 5 seconds to 10 minutes. The molten solder was maintained at temperatures of 232°C, 250°C and 300°C for pure tin and 221°C, 230°C, and 300°C for Sn-3.5%Ag respectively. The samples were then cut, cleaned and cold mounted in epoxy at ambient temperature. Mechanical grinding, finish polishing, etching, and optical metallographic procedures were utilized for examining the microstructures of the polished and etched samples. The average thickness of the intermetallic compound and the amount of copper dissolved was determined. Experimental results indicate the temperature of molten solder to control the rate of dissolution of copper and the formation and presence of intermetallic compounds at the interfaces. At a given temperature of the solder temperature, the rate of dissolution of copper in the solder revealed a rising trend with an increase in dwell time of copper in the solder. For short contact time periods, the dissolution rate is low and the thickness of the intermetallic compound is small. With an increase in dwell time, the dissolution rate of copper rapidly increases and eventually reaches a plateau. Initiation of dissolution of copper causes a layer of the Sn-Cu intermetallic compound to form around the copper substrate. This in turn prevents direct contact of the copper substrate with the molten solder. The rate of formation of the layer of intermetallic compound reveals a similar trend. Based on experimental results, the kinetic parameters involved in governing the growth of the intermetallic were determined for the two solders. The parameters can be used to estimate the kinetics of copper dissolution and intermetallic compound formation during soldering.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2003 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, Volume 3
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
Pages289-294
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)0791836959, 9780791836958
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Event2003 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference (HT2003) - Las Vegas, NV, United States
Duration: 21 Jul 200323 Jul 2003

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference
Volume2003

Conference

Conference2003 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference (HT2003)
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas, NV
Period21/07/0323/07/03

Keywords

  • Copper dissolution
  • Dipping
  • Intermetallic compound
  • Reflow
  • Sn-Ag solder
  • Tin

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An investigation of copper dissolution and the formation of intermetallic compounds in molten tin and tin-silver solders'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this