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The effect of low gold concentrations on the creep of eutectic tin-lead joints

Journal Article · · Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02652299· OSTI ID:7277953
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Mineral Engineering Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States). Dept. of Structural Materials
  2. Hewlett-Packard Co., Palo Alto, CA (United States). Electronic Assembly Development Center

The effects of low Au concentrations on the creep properties of a eutectic Sn/Pb alloy were investigated. Creep testing was performed on double-shear specimens of fine-grained, eutectic Sn/Pb joints with Au concentrations of 0, 0.2, 1.0, and 1.5 wt pct Au at 90 C, 0, 0.2, and 1.0 wt pct Au at 65 C, and 0.2 wt pct Au at 25 C. In the absence of Au, the creep of fine-grained eutectic Sn/Pb is dominated by grain-boundary sliding at high homologous temperature and intermediate stress. The addition of 0.2 wt pct Au or more suppressed this mechanism; the high-stress, bulk-creep mechanism was dominant at all stresses tested. Higher concentrations of Au increased porosity within the joints. The porosity decreased joint strength. During failure, the crack path followed softer regions of the joint; cracks propagated through Pb-rich islands or along Sn/Sn grain boundaries.

DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
7277953
Journal Information:
Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States), Journal Name: Metallurgical Transactions, A (Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science); (United States) Vol. 25:6; ISSN 0360-2133; ISSN MTTABN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English