Effects of Sn-Ag-x leveling layers on the microstructure and mechanical properties of SnBi low-temperature solder joints

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of Sn-Ag-x leveling layers on the mechanical properties of SnBi solder joints. Four Sn-Ag-x (Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu, Sn-0.3Ag-0.7Cu, Sn-0.3Ag-0.7Cu-0.5 Bi-0.05Ni and Sn-3.0Ag-3.0 Bi-3.0In) leveling layers were coated on Cu pads to prepare SnBi/Sn-Ag-x/Cu solder joints. The microstructure, hardness, shear strength and fracture morphology of solder joints before and after aging were studied. Design/methodology/approach The interfacial brittleness of the SnBi low-temperature solder joint is a key problem affecting its reliability. The purpose of this study is to improve the mechanical properties of the SnBi solder joint. Findings Owing to the addition of the leveling layers, the grain size of the ß-Sn phase in the SnBi/Sn-Ag-x/Cu solder joint is significantly larger than that in the SnBi/Cu eutectic solder joint. Meanwhile, the hardness of the solder bulk in the SnBi/Cu solder joint shows a decrease trend because of the addition of the leveling layers. The SnBi/Cu solder joint shows obvious strength drop and interfacial brittle fracture after aging. Through the addition of the Sn-Ag-x layers, the brittle failure caused by aging is effectively suppressed. In addition, the Sn-Ag-x leveling layers improve the shear strength of the SnBi/Cu solder joint after aging. Among them, the SnBi/SACBN/Cu solder joint shows the highest shear strength. Originality/value This work suppresses the interfacial brittleness of the SnBi/Cu solder joint after isothermal aging by adding Sn-Ag-x leveling layers on the Cu pads. It provides a way to improve the mechanical performances of the SnBi solder joint.