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Experimental study on Tin Whisker Growth in SMD Beads

The surface mount device beads under study have two rectangular contacts at opposite sides. With bends of 90 degrees that have an approximately planar surface of 3.048 mm2 each. In order to comply with the standard JESD22-A121, 12 leads on at least 6 components must be examined, with an accumulated lead surface bigger than 75 mm2. Look for in doEEEt the most appropriate component quality level for your application.

Therefore, 13 SMD beads were used for each one of the three tests (hence, 39 beads of each part type) so that the surface of 13 x 2 contacts x 3.048 = 79 mm2 is above the minimum amount required

Sample Type Tin Finished Area Minimim Total Inspection Area for Screening Inspection Minimum Numbers of Samples Minimum Inspection Surface Area per Sample for Screening Inspection Minimum Total Number of Inspection Areas for Screening Inspection
Components ≥ 0.85 mm2 6 75 mm2 Top and 2-3 sides of termination 75 mm2 ÷ (Plated area on top and 2-3 sides of termination)
Components < 0.85 mm2 6 75 mm2 Top and 2-3 sides of termination 96

Table 1: Details on the number of test samples and terminations required for comparison of screening inspection data.

Figure 1. A schematic drawing depicting a leadless component and the top and 3 sides of the terminations that should be inspected.

Figure 2. View onto a contact.

The beads were inspected before the tests using a binocular microscope at 72.5x magnification in order to determine if whiskers were present at the beginning of this study.

Detailed inspections were performed on the leads of all the samples from the three lots after each test condition using a scanning electron microscope.

Moreover, and as recommended by the JEDEC standard, a preconditioning heating treatment was applied to all parts prior to the start of the test programme.

Figure 3. Temperature profile applied for preconditioning the three lots of 39 SMD beads.

During the screening performed at Alter Technology, each lot of surface mount device beads (39 per part type) was divided into three groups of 13 beads:

  1. The first group of 13 parts was submitted to Temperature Cycling (1000 cycles per run).
  2. The second group of 13 parts was submitted to Ambient Temperature/Humidity Storage(1000 hours per run).
  3. The last group of 13 parts was submitted to High Temperature/Humidity Storage(1000 hours per run).

Each test was repeated four times (or runs) in order to exceed the minimum duration recommended by JEDEC.

Figure 4. Temperature shock test cabinet and humidity chamber.

A summary of the conditions used for testing and a schematic of the test flow is shown in Table 2 and Figure 5 respectively.

Tests (for each lot) Condition Inspection Intervals Numbers of runs Total Duration Anomalies
Ambient Temperature/ Humidity Storage 30 ±2 °C and 60 ±3% RH 1000 hours 4 4000 hours None
High Temperature/ Humidity Storage 55 ±3 °C and 85 ±3% RH 1000 hours 4 4000 hours Whiskers were detected after 2 runs
Pre-conditioning See profile in Figure 2
Temperature Cycling Min Temperature: -55 or -40 (+0/-10) °C Max Temperature: +85 (+10/-0) °C, Air to air; 10 minutes soak; ~3 cycles/hour 1000 cycles 4 4000 cycles None

Table 2: Tests and conditions applied for accelerating the growth of Stanium whiskers

Figure 5.  Schematic of acceptance test flow carried in Alter Technology on each lot x (x = 1, 2 and 3) of 39 SMD beads. The tests are applicable for two leaded Class 2 components using Copper (Cu) lead frame with Ni underlay mitigation technology and Stanium (Sn) 100% finish.

Dimas Morilla

Extensive aerospace materials training, certified in Pre-Cap and Customer Source Inspection of EEE parts. Specialist in Visual Inspection, Seal Test, PIND, Radiography, Microsectioning, SEM, Material Analysis, Bond Pull, Die Shear, CSAM. Physical test specialist at ALTER.

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