Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-nptnm Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-19T03:19:55.028Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Review of Critical Variables Determining Solder Fatigue Lives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

Harvey D. Solomon*
Affiliation:
GE-CRD, P.O. Box 8, K-1-3A51, Schenectady, NY 12301
Get access

Abstract

The fatigue of solder joints is a dominant factor limiting the long term reliability of electrical devices, especially when modern surface mounting is employed to attach devices to wiring boards. This paper will review the critical variables which determine the fatigue of solder and solder interconnections for the joints encountered with surface mounted devices. Consideration will first be given to the variables determining the displacement that a joint experiences due to an imposed thermal cycle. This displacement will then be related to strains in the joint. These strains are then correlated to the fatigue life. This final correlation requires not only a knowledge of the magnitude of the strain which is being applied, but also nature of the joint geometry, type of solder employed, stress state, the definition of failure, the frequency of fatigue cycling, the introduction of hold times, the environment (both thermal and gaseous) and the occurrence of metallurgical changes. The importance of these critical variables will be discussed along with an outline of design approaches to predict the fatigue life. Data for tests on eutectic Pb-Sn solder and for a Pb rich solder will be presented and used to illustrate the influence of critical variables on the fatigue life and to illustrate design approaches.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Hall, P. M., Dudderar, T. D. and Argyle, J. F., IEEE transactions, Vol CHMT-6, 1983, pp544552.Google Scholar
2. Hall, P. M., IEEE Trans. Vol CHMT-7,1984, pp314327.Google Scholar
3. Hall, P. M. and Sherry, W. M., DVS Berichte No.102, 1986, pp4761.Google Scholar
4. Hall, P. M., 37th ECC, 1987, pp579588 Google Scholar
5. Desaulnier, W. E., LaFlamme, T. E., Ammerman, W. B. and Binder, M. C., 32nd Annual Tech. Meeting, Institute of Environmental Sciences, May 6–8, 1986.Google Scholar
6. Brzozowski, V. et.al., FEA Analysis of Solder Joints, Man Tech for ADSP, Monthly Report, March 20,1987, Martin Marrietta Orlando Aerospace.Google Scholar
7. Solomon, H. D. Brzozowski, V. and Thompson, D. G.; Prediction of Solder Joint Fatigue Life, Corporate R and D Center Report #88CRD101.Google Scholar
8. Clatterbaugh, G. V. and Charles, H. K. Jr.,, IEEE 35th ECC 1985, pp 6072.Google Scholar
9. Lau, J., Harkins, G., Rice, D., Kral,., J andWells, B. IEEE 37th ECC 1987, pp 589597.Google Scholar
10. Coffin, L. F. Jr., Trans. ASMEV76, 1954, pp.931950 Google Scholar
11. Manson, S. S., "Behavior of Materials Under Conditions of Thermal Stress", Heat Transfer Symposium, Univ. of Michigan, June 27–28, 1952, Univ. of Mich. Press; also NACA TN2933, July 1953.Google Scholar
12. Tavernelli, J. F. and Coffin, L. F. Jr., J. Basic Eng., Trans ASMEV84D, 1962, pp.533537 Google Scholar
13. Manson, S. S., Mech. Des. V 32(14), 1960, pp.139144.Google Scholar
14. Coffin, L. F.., in Fracture 1969, Chapman and Hall, London 1969 Google Scholar
15. Manson, S. S., Exp. Mech V 5(7), 1965, pp193226 Google Scholar
16. Wild, R. N., Welding., J., V51, 1972, pp521526 Google Scholar
17. Wild, R. N., NEPCON, 1974, pp105117 Google Scholar
18. Morrow, J., “Cyclic Plastic Strain Energy and Fatigue of Metals”, in “Internal Friction, Damping and Cyclic Plasticity”, ASTM - STP 378, 1965, pp.4587.Google Scholar
19. “Multiaxial Fatigue” ASTM STP 853, Ed. Miller, K. J. and Brown, M. W., 1985.Google Scholar
20. Solomon, H. D., "Room Temperature Low Cycle Fatigue of a High Pb Solder (Indalloy 151), in the proceedings of the ASM 1989 Electronic Materials & Processing Congress, Philadelphia, April 1989, pp. 135147.Google Scholar
21. Solomon, H. D., "Strain -Life Behavior in 60/40 Solder" ASME 88-WA/EEP-10 1989, also GE CRD report #88CRD261.Google Scholar
22. Vaynman, S. and Fine, M. E. and Jeannotte, D.A., "Isothermal Fatigue Failure Mechanisms in Low Tin Lead Based Solder, in TMS-AIME Symposium, Denver, Feb. 1987.Google Scholar
23. Vaynman, S., Fine, M. E. and Jeannotte, D. A., 37th Electronic Components Conference, May 1987, pp 598603.Google Scholar
24. Vaynman, S., Fine, M. E. and Jeannotte, D. A., "Effect of Hold Time on Fatigue of 96.5Pb-3.5Sn Solder" in Fatigue 87.Google Scholar
25. Peterson, R.E., "Stress Concentration Design Factors", John, Wiley and Sons, N.Y., 1953.Google Scholar
26. Neuber, H., Trans ASME V 83, 1961, pp544550 Google Scholar
27. Morrow, J., Wetzel, R. M. and Topper, T. H., ASTM STP 462, 1970, pp229252.Google Scholar
28. Stadnick, S. J. and Morrow, J., ASTM STP 515, 1972, pp.229252 Google Scholar
29. Wetzel, R. M., J. of Materials, V 3, 1968, pp.646657 Google Scholar
30. Dowling, N. E., SAE paper #871966, 1987.Google Scholar
31. Solomon, H. D., J. of Materials, V 7, 1972, pp.299306.Google Scholar
32. Solomon, H. D., Met. Trans., V 4, 1973, pp.341347 Google Scholar
33. Dowling, N. E. and Begley, J. A., “Fatigue Crack Growth During Gross Plasticity and the JIntegral” in ASTM-STP 590, 1975, pp82103.Google Scholar
34. Dowling, N. E., in ASTM-STP 601, 1976, pp. 932.Google Scholar
35. Dowling, N. E., in ASTM-STP 631, 1977, pp 131158 Google Scholar
36. Dowling, N. E.,"Crack Growth During Low-Cycle Fatigue of Smooth Axial Specimens, ASTMSTP 637, 1977, pp97121.Google Scholar
37. Brose, W. R. and Dowling., N. E., in ASTM-STP 668, 1979, pp720735 Google Scholar
38. Mowbray, D.F., in ASTM-STP 668, 1979, pp736752.Google Scholar
39. Kaisand, L. R. and Mowbray, D. F., J. of Testing and Evaluation, V 7, 1979, pp270280.Google Scholar
40. Solomon, H. D., in 2nd Electronic Packaging Materials and Processes Conference, ASM, 1986, pp2947.Google Scholar
41. Solomon, H. D., IEEE CHMT-9, 1986, pp423432.Google Scholar
42. Frear, D., D, Grivas., McCormack, M. Tribula, D., and Morris, J. W. Jr., "Fatigue and Thermal Fatigue of Pb-Sn Solder Joints, in AIME Spring Conf. 1987.Google Scholar
43. Solomon, H. D., Brazing and Soldering #11, 1986, pp6875.Google Scholar
44. Solomon, H. D., in ASTM STP 942, 1988, pp342370.Google Scholar
45. Solomon, H. D., 38th ECC, 1988, pp712.Google Scholar
46. Stone, D., Hannula, S-P and LI, C-Y., in 35th ECC, 1985.Google Scholar
47. Stone, D., Wilson., H. Subrahmanyan, and Li, C-Y Y, in 36th ECC 1986, pp630635.Google Scholar
48. Shine, M. C. andFox, L. R., in ASTM STP 942, 1988, pp588610.Google Scholar
49. Norris, K. C. and Landzberg, A. H., IBM J. Res. Dev. May 1969, pp.266271 Google Scholar
50. Goldmann, L. S., IBM J. Res. Dev. V 13, 1969, p251.Google Scholar
51. Lake, J. K. and Wild, R. N, 28th SAMPE Symposium 1983, pp14061414.Google Scholar
52. Clech, J-P and Augis, J. A., "Temperature Cycling, Stuctural Response and Attachment Reliability of Surface-Mounted Leaded Packages", in 1988 IEPS conference Nov. 1988 Google Scholar
53. Clech, J-P, Engelmaier, W., Cotlowitz, R. W., and Augig, J. A., “Surface Mount Solder Attachment Reliability Figures of Merit - Design for Reliability (Tools)” in 1989 SMART Conference.Google Scholar
54. Kinser, D. L, Vaugn, J. G. and Grafl, S. M., Electronic Packaging and Production, May 1976, pp6168 Google Scholar
55. Lambert, R. G., “Mechanical Durability Prediction Methods” in 1989 Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, Atlanta GA. 1989.Google Scholar
56. Howard, R. T., IEEE CH1781-4/82/0000-0376, 1982, pp376384.Google Scholar
57. Kotlowitz, R. W. and Engelmaier, W., 6th Intl. Electronic Packaging Conference, 1986, pp841865.Google Scholar
58. Weller, D., Fox, L. and Hannemann, R. 33rd ECC IEEE, 0569-5503/83/000-0534, 1983, pp534545.Google Scholar
59. Solomon, H. D., IEEE 39th ECC, May 1989, also GE Report #87CRD185.Google Scholar
60. Solomon, H. D. 35th Inst. Environmental Sciences, May 1989, also GE Report #87CRD186.Google Scholar
61. Solomon, H. D. To be presented, 1989 Winter ASME Meeting, San Fransisco, December 1989.Google Scholar