Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-k7p5g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-11T13:10:00.394Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Microstructural evolution and change in macroscopic physical properties of microscale flip chip Cu/Sn58Bi/Cu joints under the coupling effect of electric current stressing and elastic stress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 July 2019

Shui-Bao Liang
Affiliation:
School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Chang-Bo Ke
Affiliation:
School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Cheng Wei
Affiliation:
School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; and School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Jia-Qiang Huang
Affiliation:
School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Min-Bo Zhou
Affiliation:
School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Xin-Ping Zhang*
Affiliation:
School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: mexzhang@scut.edu.cn
Get access

Abstract

Severe phase coarsening and separation in Sn–Bi alloys have brought increasing reliability concern in microelectronic packages. In this study, a phase field model is developed to simulate the microstructural evolution and evaluate the change in macroscopic physical properties of the flip chip Cu/Sn58Bi/Cu joint under the conditions of isothermal aging, as well as the coupled loads of elastic stress and electric current stressing. Results show that large-sized Bi-rich phase particles grow up at the expense of small-sized ones. Under the coupled loads, Bi atoms migrate along the electron flow direction, consequently Bi-rich phase segregates to form a Bi-rich phase layer at the anode. The current crowding ratio in the solder decreases rapidly first and then fluctuates slightly with time. Current density and von Mises stress exhibit inhomogeneous distribution, and both of them are higher in the Sn-rich phase than in the Bi-rich phase. Electric current transfers through the Sn-rich phase and detours the Bi-rich phase. As time proceeds, the resistance of the solder joint increases, and the average von Mises stress of the solder joint decreases. The Bi-rich phase coarsens much faster under the coupled loads than under the conditions of isothermal aging.

Type
Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2019 

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

Kang, S.K. and Sarkhel, A.K.: Lead (Pb)-free solders for electronic packaging. J. Electron. Mater. 23, 701707 (1994).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, F., Huang, Y., and Du, C.: Mechanical properties of SnBi–SnAgCu composition mixed solder joints using bending test. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 668, 224233 (2016).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huang, J.Q., Zhou, M.B., and Zhang, X.P.: Interfacial reactions and microstructural evolution of BGA structure Cu/Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/Sn58Bi/Cu mixed assembly joints during isothermal aging. In Proceedings of 17th International Conference on Electronic Packaging Technology, K.Y. Bi, S. Liu, and S.J. Zhou, eds. (IEEE, Piscataway, New Jersey, 2016); pp. 968973.Google Scholar
Hua, F., Mei, Z., and Glazer, J.: Eutectic Sn–Bi as an alternative to Pb-free solders. In Proceedings of 48th Electronic Components and Technology Conference, J. Billigmeier, ed. (IEEE, Piscataway, New Jersey, 1998); pp. 227283.Google Scholar
Kotadia, H.R., Howes, P.D., and Mannan, S.H.: A review: On the development of low melting temperature Pb-free solders. Microelectron. Reliab. 54, 12531273 (2014).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mokhtari, O. and Nishikawa, H.: Correlation between microstructure and mechanical properties of Sn–Bi–X solders. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 651, 831839 (2016).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cheng, S., Huang, C.M., and Pecht, M.: A review of lead-free solders for electronics applications. Microelectron. Reliab. 75, 7795 (2017).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tu, K.N.: Recent advances on electromigration in very-large-scale-integration of interconnects. J. Appl. Phys. 94, 54515473 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yeh, E.C.C., Choi, W.J., Tu, K.N., Elenius, P., and Balkan, H.: Current-crowding-induced electromigration failure in flip chip solder joints. Appl. Phys. Lett. 80, 580582 (2002).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, C.Y., Chih, C., Liao, C.N., and Tu, K.N.: Microstructure-electromigration correlation in a thin stripe of eutectic SnPb solder stressed between Cu electrodes. Appl. Phys. Lett. 75, 5860 (1999).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gan, H. and Tu, K.N.: Polarity effect of electromigration on kinetics of intermetallic compound formation in Pb-free solder V-groove samples. J. Appl. Phys. 97, 063514 (2005).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yang, Q.L. and Shang, J.K.: Interfacial segregation of Bi during current stressing of Sn–Bi/Cu solder interconnect. J. Electron. Mater. 34, 13631367 (2005).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tsai, C.M., Lin, Y.L., Tsai, J.Y., Lai, Y.S., and Kao, C.R.: Local melting induced by electromigration in flip-chip solder joints. J. Electron. Mater. 35, 10051009 (2006).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, P.L. and Shang, J.K.: Interfacial embrittlement by bismuth segregation in copper/tin–bismuth Pb-free solder interconnect. J. Mater. Res. 16, 16511659 (2001).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, C.M., Chen, L.T., and Lin, Y.S.: Electromigration-induced Bi segregation in eutectic SnBi solder joint. J. Electron. Mater. 36, 168172 (2007).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, C. and Huang, C.: Atomic migration in eutectic SnBi solder alloys due to current stressing. J. Mater. Res. 23, 10511056 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Xu, G., Guo, F., Wang, X., Xia, Z., Lei, Y., Shi, Y., and Li, X.: Retarding the electromigration effects to the eutectic SnBi solder joints by micro-sized Ni-particles reinforcement approach. J. Alloys Compd. 509, 878884 (2011).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, P.L. and Shang, J.K.: Segregant-induced cavitation of Sn/Cu reactive interface. Scr. Mater. 53, 631634 (2005).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shang, P.J., Liu, Z.Q., Li, D.X., and Shang, J.K.: Bi-induced voids at the Cu3Sn/Cu interface in eutectic SnBi/Cu solder joints. Scr. Mater. 58, 409412 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, P.L. and Shang, J.K.: Fracture of SnBi/Ni(P) interfaces. J. Mater. Res. 20, 818826 (2005).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gu, X. and Chan, Y.C.: Electromigration in line-type Cu/Sn–Bi/Cu solder joints. J. Electron. Mater. 37, 17211726 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zou, H.F., Zhang, Q.K., and Zhang, Z.F.: Eliminating interfacial segregation and embrittlement of bismuth in SnBi/Cu joint by alloying Cu substrate. Scr. Mater. 61, 308311 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zou, H.F., Zhang, Q.K., and Zhang, Z.F.: Interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of SnBi/Cu joints by alloying Cu substrate. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 532, 167177 (2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, L. and Chen, C.: Electromigration study in the eutectic SnBi solder joint on the Ni/Au metallization. J. Mater. Res. 21, 962969 (2006).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, C.M., Huang, C.C., Liao, C.N., and Liou, K.M.: Effects of copper doping on microstructural evolution in eutectic SnBi solder stripes under annealing and current stressing. J. Electron. Mater. 36, 760765 (2007).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
He, H., Xu, G., and Guo, F.: Electromigration-induced Bi-rich whisker growth in Cu/Sn–58Bi/Cu solder joints. J. Mater. Sci. 45, 334340 (2010).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zuo, Y., Ma, L., Liu, S., Shu, Y., and Guo, F.: Evolution of microstructure across eutectic Sn–Bi solder joints under simultaneous thermal cycling and current stressing. J. Electron. Mater. 44, 597603 (2015).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ma, L., Zuo, Y., Liu, S., Guo, F., and Wang, X.: The failure modelsof Sn-based solder joints under coupling effects of electromigration and thermal cycling. J. Appl. Phys. 113, 044904 (2013).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ubachs, R.L.J.M., Schreurs, P.J.G., and Geers, M.G.D.: A nonlocal diffuse interface model for microstructure evolution of tin–lead solder. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 52, 17631792 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Anders, D., Hesch, C., and Weinberg, K.: Computational modeling of phase separation and coarsening in solder alloy. Int. J. Solids Struct. 49, 15571572 (2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liang, S.B., Ke, C.B., Huang, J.Q., Zhou, M.B., and Zhang, X.P.: Phase field simulation of microstructural evolution and thermomigration-induced phase segregation in Cu/Sn58Bi/Cu interconnects under isothermal aging and temperaturegradient. Microelectron. Reliab. 92, 111 (2019).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jin, S. and McCormack, M.: Dispersoid additions to a Pb-free solder for suppression of microstructural coarsening. J. Electron. Mater. 23, 735739 (1994).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, C., Ho, C.E., Lin, A.H., Luo, G.L., and Kao, C.R.: Long-term aging study on the solid-state reaction between 58Bi42Sn solder and Ni substrate. J. Electron. Mater. 29, 12001206 (2000).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Miao, H.W. and Duh, J.G.: Microstructure evolution in Sn–Bi and Sn–Bi–Cu solder joints under thermal aging. Mater. Chem. Phys. 71, 255271 (2001).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gu, Y. and Nakamura, T.: Interfacial delamination and fatigue life estimation of 3D solder bumps in flip-chip packages. Microelectron. Reliab. 44, 471483 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mei, Z. and Morris, J.W.: Characterization of eutectic Sn–Bi solder joints. J. Electron. Mater. 21, 599607 (1992).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
He, H., Zhao, H., Guo, F., and Xu, G.: Bi layer formation at the anode interface in Cu/Sn–58Bi/Cu solder joints with high current density. J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 28, 4652 (2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Xu, G., He, H., and Guo, F.: Temperature-dependent phase segregation in Cu/42Sn–58Bi/Cu reaction couples under high current density. J. Electron. Mater. 38, 273283 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chou, C.K., Chen, C.A., Liang, S.W., and Chen, C.: Redistribution of Pb-rich phase during electromigration in eutectic SnPb solder stripes. J. Appl. Phys. 99, 054502 (2006).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dreyer, W. and Müller, W.H.: Modeling diffusional coarsening in eutectic tin/lead solders: A quantitative approach. Int. J. Solids Struct. 38, 14331458 (2001).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Li, L. and Müller, W.H.: Computer modeling of the coarsening process in tin–lead solders. Comput. Mater. Sci. 21, 159184 (2001).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sun, J., Xu, G.C., Guo, F., Xia, Z.D., Lei, Y.P., Shi, Y.W., Li, X.Y., and Wang, X.T.: Effects of electromigration on resistance changes in eutectic SnBi solder joints. J. Mater. Sci. 46, 35443549 (2011).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhang, Q.K., Zou, H.F., and Zhang, Z.F.: Influences of substrate alloying and reflow temperature on Bi segregation behaviors at Sn–Bi/Cu interface. J. Electron. Mater. 40, 23202328 (2011).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Choi, W.J., Yeh, E.C.C., and Tu, K.N.: Mean-time-to-failure study of flip chip solder joints on Cu/Ni(V)/Al thin-film under-bump-metallization. J. Appl. Phys. 94, 56655671 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ouyang, F.Y., Tu, K.N., and Lai, Y.S.: Effect of electromigration induced joule heating and strain on microstructural recrystallization in eutectic SnPb flip chip solder joints. Mater. Chem. Phys. 136, 210218 (2012).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gu, X. and Chan, Y.C.: Thermomigration and electromigration in Sn58Bi solder joints. J. Appl. Phys. 105, 093537 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yue, W., Qin, H.B., Zhou, M.B., Ma, X., and Zhang, X.P.: Electromigration induced microstructure evolution and damage in asymmetric Cu/Sn–58Bi/Cu solder interconnect under current stressing. Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 24, 16191628 (2014).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yamanaka, K., Tsukada, Y., and Suganuma, K.: Solder electromigration in Cu/In/Cu flip chip joint system. J. Alloys Compd. 437, 186190 (2007).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jen, M.H.R., Liu, L.C., and Lai, Y.S.: Electromigration test on void formation and failure mechanism of FCBGA lead-free solder joints. IEEE Trans. Compon. Packag. Technol. 32, 7988 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chang, Y.W., Cheng, Y., Xu, F., Helfen, L., Tian, T., Di Michiel, M., Chen, C., Tu, K.N., and Baumbach, T.: Study of electromigration-induced formation of discrete voids in flip-chip solder joints by in situ 3D laminography observation and finite-element modeling. Acta Mater. 117, 100110 (2016).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guo, F., Xu, G.C., Sun, J., Xia, Z.D., Lei, Y.P., Shi, Y.W., and Li, X.Y.: Resistance changes in eutectic Sn–Bi solder joints during electromigration. J. Electron. Mater. 38, 27562761 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ohtani, H. and Ishida, K.: A thermodynamic study of the phase equilibria in the Bi–Sn–Sb system. J. Electron. Mater. 23, 747755 (1994).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Park, M.S. and Arróyave, R.: Early stages of intermetallic compound formation and growth during lead-free soldering. Acta Mater. 58, 49004910 (2010).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Felton, L.E., Raeder, C.H., and Knorr, D.B.: The properties of tin-bismuth alloy solders. JOM 45, 2832 (1993).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Raeder, C.H., Felton, L.E., Tanzi, V.A., and Knorr, D.B.: The effect of aging on microstructure, room temperature deformation, and fracture of Sn–Bi/Cu solder joints. J. Electron. Mater. 23, 611617 (1994).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mostofizadeh, M., Pippola, J., and Frisk, L.: Shear strength of eutectic Sn–Bi lead-free solders after corrosion testing and thermal aging. J. Electron. Mater. 43, 13351346 (2014).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, F., Liu, L., Li, D., and Wu, M.: Electromigration behaviors in Sn–58Bi solder joints under different current densities and temperatures. J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 29, 2115721169 (2018).Google Scholar
Ye, H., Basaran, C., and Hopkins, D.C.: Pb phase coarsening in eutectic Pb/Sn flip chip solder joints under electric current stressing. Int. J. Solids Struct. 41, 27432755 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wu, B.Y., Alam, M.O., Chan, Y.C., and Zhong, H.W.: Joule heating enhanced phase coarsening in Sn37Pb and Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu solder joints during current stressing. J. Electron. Mater. 37, 469476 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wu, B.Y., Zhong, H.W., Chan, Y.C., and Alam, M.O.: Degradation of Sn37Pb and Sn3.5Ag0.5Cu solder joints between Au/Ni (P)/Cu pads stressed with moderate current density. J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 17, 943950 (2006).Google Scholar
Chen, L.Q.: Phase-field models for microstructure evolution. Annu. Rev. Mater. Res. 32, 113140 (2002).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, W., Suo, Z., and Hao, T.H.: A simulation of electromigration-induced transgranular slits. J. Appl. Phys. 79, 23942403 (1996).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
COMSOL Multiphysics Users’ Guide (COMSOL Inc., Stockholm, Sweden, 2015).Google Scholar
Siewert, T., Liu, S., Smith, D.R., and Madeni, J.C.: Database for Solder Properties with Emphasis on New Lead-Free Solders (National Institute of Standards and Technology and Colorado School of Mines, Colorado, 2002).Google Scholar