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Suppressing tin whisker growth in lead-free solders and platings

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1130083
A process of irradiation Sn containing Pb-free solder to mitigate whisker formation and growth thereon is provided. The use of gamma radiation such as cobalt-60 has been applied to a substrate of Sn on copper has been found to change the morphology of the crystalline whisker growth to a more truncated hillock pattern. The change in morphology greatly reduces the tendency of whiskers to contribute to electrical short-circuits being used as a Pb-free solder system on a copper substrate.
Research Organization:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC09-08SR22470
Assignee:
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (Aiken, SC)
Patent Number(s):
8,709,179
Application Number:
13/269,803
OSTI ID:
1130083
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (2)

Spontaneous whisker growth on lead-free solder finishes journal November 2005
Whisker and Hillock formation on Sn, Sn–Cu and Sn–Pb electrodeposits journal November 2005

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