Effects of Cu contents in Sn-Cu solder on the composition and morphology of intermetallic compounds at a solder/Ni interface

The reaction between Sn-xCu (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.7, 0.9, and 1.5 wt%) solder alloys and Ni at 260, 280, and 290 °C for 60 s was studied to reveal the effect of Cu content on the composition and morphology of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) formed at the interface between solder and substrate. The results indicated that Cu concentration greatly affects both the composition and morphology of the IMC between the solder and Ni substrate. In particular, when the Cu concentration was less than or equal to 0.3 wt%, (Cu_xNi_1-x)₃Sn₄ IMCs were formed at the interface. When the Cu concentration was 0.7 wt%, large facets type of (Cu_xNi_1-x)₆ Sn₅ were mixed with (Cu_x Ni_1-x)₃Sn₄ in the IMC layer. At Cu concentrations higher than the eutectic one, e.g., 0.9 and 1.5 wt%, stick-shaped (Cu_xNi_1-x)₆Sn₅ compounds were detected, but the (Cu_x Ni_1-x)₃Sn₄ IMCs disappeared. The formation and growth mechanism of the (Cu_x Ni_1-x)₆Sn₅ compound were analyzed. The evolution tendency of the composition and morphology of the IMCs at the three testing temperatures was found to be the same. © 2005 Materials Research Society.