A comprehensive review of radiation effects on solder alloys and solder joints

In the realm of military and defence applications, exposure to radiation significantly challenges the performance and reliability of solder alloys and joints in electronic systems. This comprehensive review examines radiation-induced effects on solder alloys and solder joints in terms of microstructure and mechanical properties. In this paper, we evaluate the existing literature, including experimental studies and fundamental theory, to provide a comprehensive overview of the behavior of solder materials under radiation. A review of the literature highlights key mechanisms that contribute to radiation-induced changes in the microstructure, such as the formation of intermetallic compounds, grain growth,micro-voids and micro-cracks. Radiation is explored as a factor influencing solder alloy hardness,strength, fatigue and ductility. Moreover, the review addresses the challenges and limitations inherent in studying the effects of radiation on solder materials and offers recommendations for future research. It is crucial to understand radiation-induced effects on solder performance to design robust and radiationresistant electronic systems. A review of radiation effects on solder materials and their applications in electronics serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and practitioners in that field.

Interfacial reaction behavior and mechanical properties of 5A06 Al alloy soldered with Sn-1Ti-xGa solders at a low temperature

Active soldering of 5A06 Al alloy was performed at 300 ℃ by using Sn-1Ti and Sn-1Ti-0.3Ga active solders, respectively. Theeffects of soldering time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated. The results showed that the Sn-1Tisolder broke the oxide film on the surface of the Al substrate and induced intergranular diffusion in the Al substrate. When Ga was added tothe solder, severe dissolution pits appeared in the Al substrate due to the action of Sn-1Ti-0.3Ga solder, and many Al particles were flakedfrom the matrix into the solder seam. Under thermal stress and the Ti adsorption effect, the oxide film cracked. With increasing solderingtime, the shear strength of 5A06 Al alloy joints soldered with Sn-1Ti and Sn-1Ti-0.3Ga active solders increased. When soldered for 90 min,the joint soldered with Sn-1Ti-0.3Ga solder had a higher shear strength of 22.12 MPa when compared to Sn-1Ti solder.

EFFECTS OF RARE EARTH ELEMENT LANTHANUM ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF Ag-Cu-Ti SOLDER ALLOY

The effects of rare earth Lanthanum on the microstructure, the physical property and the microhardness of Ag-Cu-Ti solder alloy are studied. Experimental results indicate that the addition of Lanthanum can evidently improve the wettability and the microhardness of Ag-Cu-Ti solder alloy. Analysis results show that the increase in microhardness is related to the refining and uniform distribution of the intermetallic compounds. Proper content of Lanthanum added in Ag-Cu-Ti alloy solder can be controlled below 0.5% in mass percent.

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of ultrasonic-assisted soldering joints of 2024 aluminum alloys

Ultrasonic-assisted soldering of 2024 aluminum alloys using a filler metal of Zn-5Al alloy was investigated at the temperature of 400 ℃,which is lower than the solution strengthening temperature of Al-Cu alloys.The ultrasonic vibration with power of 200 W and vibration amplitude of 15 μm at the frequency of 21 kHz was applied on the top samples.The ultrasonic vibration promoted the dissolution of Al elements in the base metal.The reduction of volume fraction of the eutectic phases in the bonds was investigated by increasing ultrasonic vibration time.As the ultrasonic vibration time increased from 3 s to 30 s,the volume fraction of the eutectic phase in the bonds decreased from 12.9% to 0.9%,and the shear strength of the joints was up to 149-153 MPa,increased by 20%.The improvement of the mechanical properties of joints was discussed based on the modulus and hardness of the phases in the bonds and the fracture of the joints.

Direct active soldering of Al_(0.3)CrFe _(1.5)MnNi_(0.5) high entropy alloy to 6061-Al using Sn-Ag-Ti active solder

Al0.3CrFe1.5MnNi0.5 high entropy alloys(HEA)have special properties.The microstructures and shear strengths of HEA/HEA and HEA/6061-Al joints were determined after direct active soldering(DAS)in air with Sn3.5Ag4Ti active filler at 250°C for 60 s.The results showed that the diffusion of all alloying elements of the HEA alloy was sluggish in the joint area.The joint strengths of HEA/HEA and HEA/6061-Al samples,as analyzed by shear testing,were(14.20±1.63)and(15.70±1.35)MPa,respectively.Observation of the fracture section showed that the HEA/6061-Al soldered joints presented obvious semi-brittle fracture characteristics.

Combined effects of Bi and Sb elements on microstructure,thermal and mechanical properties of Sn−0.7Ag−0.5Cu solder alloys

This research investigated the combined effects of addition of Bi and Sb elements on the microstructure,thermal properties,ultimate tensile strength,ductility,and hardness of Sn−0.7Ag−0.5Cu(SAC0705)solder alloys.The results indicated that the addition of Bi and Sb significantly reduced the undercooling of solders,refined theβ-Sn phase and extended the eutectic areas of the solders.Moreover,the formation of SbSn and Bi phases in the solder matrix affected the mechanical properties of the solder.With the addition of 3 wt.%Bi and 3 wt.%Sb,the ultimate tensile strength and hardness of the SAC0705 base alloy increased from 31.26 MPa and 15.07 HV to 63.15 MPa and 23.68 HV,respectively.Ductility decreased due to grain boundary strengthening,solid solution strengthening,and precipitation strengthening effects,and the change in the fracture mechanism of the solder alloys.

Effect of Bismuth Addition on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Tin-9Zinc Soldering Alloy

Sn-Zn based solder is a possible replacement of Pb solder because of its better mechanical properties. The alloys need to be studied and explored to get a usable solder alloy having better properties. In this work eutectic Sn-9Zn and three Tin-Zinc-Bismuth ternary alloys were prepared and investigated their microhardness and mechanical properties. Microhardness, tensile strength and elastic modulus increase with Bi addition while ductility decreases with Bi addition.

Effect of cerium on microstructure and mechanical properties of Sn-Ag-Cu system lead-free solder alloys

The melting point, spreading property, mechanical properties and microstructures of Sn-3.0Ag-2.8Cu solder alloys added with micro-variable-Ce were studied by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray(EDX). The results indicate that the melting point of Sn-3.0Ag-2.8Cu solder is enhanced by Ce addition; a small amount of Ce will remarkably prolong the creep-rupture life of Sn-3.0Ag-2.8Cu solder joint at room temperature, especially when the content of Ce is 0.1%, the creep-rupture life will be 9 times or more than that of the solder joint without Ce addition; the elongation of Sn-3.0Ag-2.8Cu solder is also obviously improved even up to 15.7%. In sum, the optimum content of Ce is within 0.05%-0.1 %.

Effect of Antimony Additions on Corrosion and Mechanical Properties of Sn-Bi Eutectic Lead-Free Solder Alloy

The goal of the present work is to investigate the effects of the addition of Sb (0, 3 and 6 wt%) on structure, melting, corrosion and mechanical properties of Sn-Bi eutectic solder alloys. The mechanical properties of the bulk Sn-Bi-Sb solders were higher as the amount of antimony increases, making compressive strength augment from 65 MPa to 100 MPa when 6 wt% Sb was incorporated to the Sn-Bi eutectic alloy. The three alloys presented a melting temperature that is smaller to the one exhibited by the eutectic alloy Sn-38Pb (Tm = 183°C). According to the electrochemical results, the addition of higher contents of Sb to the Sn-Bi eutectic alloy had a positive effect: it ennobled the Ecorr values.

Effect of Ag and Ni on the melting point and solderability of SnSbCu solder alloys

To improve the properties of Sn10Sb8Cu solder alloy, two new solders （SnSbCuAg and SnSbCuNi） were formed by adding small amounts of Ag or Ni into the solder alloy. The results show that the melting point of the SnSbCuAg solder alloy decreases by 14.1℃ and the spreading area increases by 16.5% compared to the matrix solder. The melting point of the SnSbCuNi solder alloy decreases by 5.4℃ and the spreading area is slightly less than that of the matrix solder. Microstructure analysis shows that adding trace Ag makes the melting point decline due to the dispersed distribution of SnAg phase with low melting point. Adding trace Ni, Cu6Sn5 and （Cu, Ni）6Sn5 with polyhedron shape on the copper substrate can be easily seen in the SnSbCuNi solder alloy, which makes the viscosity of the melting solder increase and the spreading property of the solder decline.

Solderability of Electrodeposited Fe-Ni Alloys with Eutectic SnAgCu Solder

Solderabilities of electrodeposited Fe-Ni alloys with SnAgCu solder were examined by wetting balance measurements and compared to those of pure Ni and pure Fe platings. Excellent solderability was found on the Ni-52Fe plating as both the wetting force and kinetics approached or exceeded those on the pure Ni. However, upon further increase in Fe content to 75 at. pct, the solderability of the alloy was severely degraded even though it was still better than that of the pure Fe plating. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that such a strong dependence of solderability on Fe content is related to the much thinner, incomplete oxide coverage of Ni-rich plating surface.

Effect of Rare Earths on Microstructure and Properties of Sn2.0Ag0.7CuRE Solder Alloy for Surface Mount Technology

A new type of lead-free solder alloy Sn2.0Ag0.7CuRE was fabricated under vacuum condition. The microstructure and properties of the material, such as tensile strength, elongation, melting range, conductance and spreading area were all investigated. Result shows that when the content of RE ≤ 0.1% （mass fraction）, RE distribute uniformly in the solder alloy, and the tensile strength and conductance of Sn2.0Ag0.7CuRE solder alloy are better than those of traditional Sn37Pb solder. Its elongation and spreading area are almost equal to those of Sn37Pb solder. When the content of RE reaches 0.5%, RE compounds can be easily found around the boundaries of grains and phases, and the tensile strength and elongation and spreading area of Sn2.0Ag0.7CuRE solder alloy all decrease sharply. Therefore, RE amount added to the Sn2.0Ag0.7CuRE solder alloy under 0.1% is proper.

Microstructures and properties of Sn-Ag-Cu lead-free solder alloys containing La

Trace amounts of La were utilized to improve the melting behaviors,microstructures,tensile properties and microhardness of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu lead-free solder alloy. La has little effect on the melting behavior of Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu alloy according to the differential thermal analysis(DTA) tests. The X-ray diffraction(XRD) patterns show that β-Sn,Ag3Sn and Cu6Sn5 coexist in the as-cast solder alloys and LaSn3 phases emerge when adding 0.4% La. The microstructures modified by La are more uniform and much finer than that of baseline alloy,and the coarse LaSn3 particles with complex dendrites are observed by optical microscopy(OM) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) when the addition of La is up to 0.4%. The composition of the LaSn3 phases is identified by energy-dispersive spectroscopy(EDS). There are considerable improvements in mechanical properties with 0.05% and 0.1% addition,but degenerations by adding 0.4%La. The Vickers microhardness of β-Sn and eutectic area are both enhanced with the addition of La and the microhardness of LaSn3 is much larger than those of β-Sn and eutectic area.

Influence of cobalt content on microstructure and corrosionperformance of extruded Sn-9Zn solder alloys

The Pb-free solders have attracted a great deal of attention recently due to the environmental concerns.The present work focuses on the effect of cobalt content(0,0.5 and 3.0)on the microstructural characteristics,melting point and corrosion performance of extruded Sn-9Zn solder alloys.The results reveal that the Zn-rich precipitates with spherical or needle-like shape in the Sn-9Zn-xCo alloys are refined remarkably by forming the γ-Co5Zn21 and Co2Sn2Zn Co-contained intermetallic compounds,though the melting point and eutectic reaction temperature decrease slightly.It is suggested that the corrosion property of the extruded Sn-9Zn-xCo alloys is improved significantly by adding the cobalt element,while the content should be controlled reasonably.Combining the corrosion morphology,the influence of cobalt content on the corrosion behavior of the Sn-9Zn-xCo alloys is analyzed in terms of the refined microstructure and the enhanced passive film stability.

Thermal and Electrical Properties of Sn-Zn-Bi Ternary Soldering Alloys

Sn-Zn based solder is a possible replacement of Pb solder because of its better mechanical properties. The alloys need to be studied and explored to get a usable solder alloy having better properties. In this work, eutectic Sn-9Zn and three Tin-Zinc-Bismuth ternary alloys were prepared and investigated their thermal and electrical properties. Thermo-mechanical Analysis and Differential Thermal Analysis were used to investigate thermal properties. Microstructural study is carried out with Scanning Electron Microscope. The alloys have single melting point. The co-efficient of thermal expansion and co-efficient of thermal contraction varies with alloy composition and temperature range. Electrical conductivity changes with Bi addition.

Enhancing the Creep Resistance of Sn-9.0Zn-0.5Al Lead-Free Solder Alloy by Small Additions of Sb Element

The creep phenomenon is considered as one of the most important deformation mechanisms under working conditions. The present study has examined the microstructure and creep properties of Sn-9.0Zn-0.5Al solder alloy after adding a small amount of Antimony (Sb). Nominal compositions of Sb additions were chosen to be 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt.%. The minimum strain rate was reduced for the Sb containing solder alloy. The stress exponents, n, were found to be around 3.7 for all soldiers at 130°C. The stress exponent increases as the temperature drops from 100°C to 50°C, except for the 1.0% Sb alloy, where n 5.3 - 6.1 at all the temperature range (T = 50°C, 100°C and 130°C). The results reveal that the Sb-containing solder alloys have better creep resistance with greater ductility than the Sb-free alloy due to solid solution strengthening, and intermetallic compound SnSb particle hardening.

Structure and Properties of Sn-9Zn Lead-Free Solder Alloy with Heat Treatment

The Sn-9Zn lead-free solder alloy was prepared by conventional casting technique then cold-rolled into long sheets of 1 mm thickness and 3 mm width. It was annealed at 80, 120 and 160°C for 60 min to investigate the effect of isochronal heat treatment on structure and mechanical properties of the cold rolled Sn-9Zn alloy. The results showed that, the crystallite size and lattice strain have opposite behavior with increasing annealing temperature due to recovery and recrystalization processes associated with the heat treatment process. Vickers micro-hardness number increases continuously from 155 to 180 MPa with increasing annealing temperature. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was also calculated. It was found that, it is equal to 61.4 MPa for the non annealed sample and slightly decreases to 60.5 and 58.2 MPa for samples annealed at 80 and 120°C, respectively. While, increases to 65.4 MPa for the sample annealed at 160°C. Also, ductility increases with increasing annealing temperature in opposite manor with the UTS. The new method for Micro-creep behavior as well as the creep rate calculated by this method has been characterized at room temperature.

High temperature rupture of Sn-Pb-0.05RE solder alloy

Specimens of Sn-Pb-0.05RE solder alloy were tested to failure under two different stress states,uniaxial tension using smooth bar specimens and triaxial tension using notched bar specimens. The tests were conducted at a temperature of 125℃, far above 0. 5 melting temperature of Sn-Pb-0.05RE solder alloy,which leads to a distinctive creep deformation. Rupture times were compared for uniaxial and triaxial stress states with respect to multiaxial stress parameters that are directly related to physical fracture mechanisms.The success of the parameters was judged according to how well the stress parameters correlate with the time to rupture. The results show that the Mises effective stress is the stress factor which dominates the creep rupture of Sn-Pb-0. 05RE solder alloy. It further suggests that the cavity nucleation on a grain boundary plays an important role in the creep rupture process of Sn-Pb-0.05RE solder alloy.

新型Sn-Zn系焊铝锡膏的制备

研制了一种新型Sn-Zn系焊铝锡膏.根据焊铝锡膏成分组成特点,以Sn-Zn系无铅锡粉为基础,对助焊膏中活性剂、活性盐、表面活性剂和溶剂等添加剂进行筛选,通过正交试验对其组分进行优化并制备出焊铝锡膏.结果表明:活性剂部分,有机胺A质量的增加会降低钎料在240℃和260℃下的润湿性;活性盐部分,锌盐和亚锡盐有利于扩大钎料铺展面积,但添加铵盐会降低钎料的润湿性;表面活性剂部分,添加OP-10的实验效果要优于添加油酸酰胺的实验效果.基于以上研究结果自制出的焊铝锡膏可用于低温钎焊1060铝,焊接质量良好,界面处未见明显焊接缺陷,且焊铝锡膏具有良好的存储稳定性.研究结果可为铝合金钎焊用焊铝锡膏的应用和开发提供理论和技术支持.

Effect of Sb content on properties of Sn-Bi solders

The effect of Sb content on the properties of Sn-Bi solders was studied. The nonequilibrium melting behaviors of a series of Sn-Bi-Sb solders were examined by differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）. The spreading test was carried out to characterize the wettability of Sn-Bi-Sb solders on Cu substrate. The mechanical properties of the solders/Cu joints were evaluated. The results show that the ternary alloy solders contain eutectic structure resulting from quasi-peritetic reaction. With the increase of Sb content, the amount of the eutectic structure increases. At a heating rate of 5 ℃/min, Sn-Bi-Sb alloys exhibit a higher melting point and a wider melting range. A small amount of Sb has an impact on the wettability of Sn-Bi solders. The reaction layers form during spreading process. Sb is detected in the reaction layer while Bi is not detected. The total thickness of reaction layer between solder and Cu increases with the increase of the Sb content. The shear strength of the Sn-Bi-Sb solders increases as the Sb content increases.