Impact of Surface Finish, Solder Volume and Solder Composition on the Grain Structure of SnAgCu Solder Joints

Lead-free solder joints based on SnAgCu solders often consist of one single tin grain. Since tin is highly anisotropic, the grain structure in SAC solder joints and the orientation of the tin grain in single-grained solder joints may have a large impact on the fatigue life of the solder joints when exposed to thermomechanical stress. The scope of this study was to evaluate how the grain structure in SAC solder joints to various BGA components is impacted by surface finishes on soldered surfaces, and the volume and composition of the solder. The grain structure was analysed by cross-sectioning of the solder joints and inspected using optical microscopy with cross-polarised light. In addition, some samples were analysed using electron backscatter diffraction in order to determine the orientation of the grains. Four grain structures were observed in the solder joints: single grained, cyclic twin, interlaced twin or mixed cyclic and interlaced twin structure. The surface finish had the largest impact on the grain structure. Solder joints formed between nickel and copper solder finishes had in most cases a high fraction of solder joints with mixed cyclic and interlaced twin grain structure whereas solder joints formed between two nickel finishes had a high fraction of single-grained solder joints. The results from this study indicate that the morphology of the intermetallic layers formed on soldered surfaces is the main factor determining the degree of undercooling during solidification.