Application of TLP (Transient Liquid Phase) Bonding Method to the High Tm Lead-Free Solder

Abstract

TLP method was applied to the lead free soldering process; Sn-3.5Ag core solder (Tm of 221°C) / Sn-Bi coating layer (Tm of 139°C at eutectic) was reflowed on UBM pad. Sn-Bi was formed by electroplating method at current range of 2~6A/dm2, which had varied the coating layer composition from 96wt% to 28wt% Bi. Specimens were reflowed on copper pad at temperature range of 200 and 220°C, and then interface reaction was examined. It was claimed that high Bi adding in the plated layer improved the wetting performance on Cu. Even at the reflow temperature of 200°C, SEM observation revealed well-defined interface junctions between solder and copper pad, i.e. nucleation and growth of CuxSn intermetallic compound. After heating for 5min at 220°C, Bi was resolved into Sn-3.5Ag core solder and completely homogenized, which is favorable from the viewpoint of long term fatigue reliability.