Morphology of instability of the wetting tips of eutectic SnBi, eutectic SnPb, and pure Sn on Cu

The Pb-based solder used in microelectronics industry is becoming an environmental issue. To understand the wetting behavior of solders with and without Pb, we have studied the surface morphology and wetting reaction of eutectic SnBi, eutectic SnPb, and pure Sn on Cu through the measurements of wetting angle change and wetting tip stability by SEM and EDX. The wetting angle remains constant after the initial spread, but the eutectic SnPb/Cu continues to react and forms a reaction band in front of the solder edge as well as intermetallic compounds at the interface. For eutectic SnBi/Cu, there is no reaction at the wetting tip, and the wetting angle does not change much; however, the interfacial reaction between eutectic SnBi and Cu forms intermetallic compounds at the solder joint; the wetting tip is not in a static equilibrium. A rough surface and edge was observed on the eutectic SnBi/Cu joint, but the eutectic SnPb/Cu has a smoother surface and edge. © 1995, Materials Research Society. All rights reserved.