Effect of stearic acid coating on anti-oxidation property of Sn-Ag-Cu solder powder

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a monolayer surface coating of stearic acid on Sn-Ag-Cu solder powder to limit oxidation. Design/methodology/approach Stearic acid was adsorbed onto Sn-Ag-Cu solder powder through liquid-phase adsorption. The isotherm of adsorption was measured and then the microstructure of coated powder was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Findings The adsorption isotherm of stearic acid on the powder was “H” type, which revealed the layer-by-layer adsorption on non-porous surface. When the concentration of solution was in the range of 0.001-0.006 mol/L, with an adsorption amount of 0.12 ± 0.1 mg/g, monolayer stearic acid covered the solder powder completely. Uniform and integrated self-assembled monolayer coating was formed through hydrogen bonds between the oxygen ions in surface lattice of Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu solder powder and the —O—H hydroxyl group of stearic acid. The maximum angle of stability of coated powder also reduced by 2.87° compared with that of non-coated powder. The increase rate of oxygen content of coated powder was much slower than that of non-coated powder when they were exposed to humid air. Originality/value As a result, oxidation of fine solder powder was effectively limited. Essentially, this method can also be applied to the coating of other types of solder powder and has reference significance to other coating by liquid-phase method.