Deformation and Heat Treatment of Cold Drawn Gold

Abstract

Cold drawn gold wires are widely applied in electronic packaging process to interconnect micro-electronic components. They basically provides a conducting path for electronic signal transfer, and experience thermo-mechanical loads in use. The mechanical stability of drawn gold wires is a matter of practical concern in the reliable functioning of electronic devices. It is known that mechanical properties of materials are deeply related to the microstructure. With appropriate control of deformation and heat processes, the mechanical properties of final products, such as tensile strength and elongation can be improved. Severe plastic deformation by torsion usually contributes to grain refinement and increment of strength. In this study, microstructure variations with torsion strain followed by drawing and heat treatment were investigated. Analyses by focused ion beam (FIB) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) were carried out to characterize the effect of deformation and heat treatment on the drawn gold wires. Pattern quality of EBSD measurements was used as a quantitative measure for plastic deformation.