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Solderability of Kovar[trademark]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6924626

The wettability of bare Kovar by liquid 60Sn-40Pb solder was examined as a function of two surface preparation techniques. Adequate solderability was achieved with four organic acid fluxes when the Kovar surfaces were chemically etched in an acid solution; however, wetting was poor with the use of a rosin-based, mildly activated (RMA) flux. Changing to an electropolishing treatment with an acetic acid/perchloric acid electrolyte improved solder wetting, particularly with the RMA flux. Growth of the solder-substrate metallurgical reaction layer was examined after elevated-temperature annealing treatments. Intermetallic compounds grew both along the solder-substrate interface as well as in the solder phases, at rates much less than observed for the copper-solder system.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6924626
Report Number(s):
SAND-92-0400C; CONF-9211132--1; ON: DE93004067
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English