FEM simulation of the size and constraining effect in lead free solder joints

Author(s)
Martin Lederer, Golta Khatibi, Brigitte Weiss
Abstract

Due to the ongoing miniaturization in microelectronics, the influence of dimensional constraining effects on the strength of solder joints becomes increasingly important. Detailed investigations show a strong dependence of tensile strength and ductility on solder geometry. This paper focuses on FEM simulations of the thickness effect of Sn-3.5Ag solder gaps under tensile load. Solder joints and copper base material are simulated with an elasto-plastic material model in the framework of von Mises plasticity. Within the solder material a pronounced triaxiality of stress is observed. In consequence, the von Mises stress inside the solder material is considerably smaller than the longitudinal stress along the tensile axis. This leads to increased tensile strength of thin solder joints. However, the increase of strength also depends on the yield stress of the copper base material. The FEM simulations were compared with experimental results of tensile tests and satisfactory coincidence was found. The remaining deviation between experiment and simulation is explained by pressure dependency of the flow stress. In conclusion, a new pressure dependent plasticity model is suggested.

Organisation(s)
Physics of Nanostructured Materials
Journal
Applied and Computational Mechanics
Volume
6
Pages
17-24
No. of pages
8
ISSN
1802-680X
Publication date
2012
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103018 Materials physics
Portal url
https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/fem-simulation-of-the-size-and-constraining-effect-in-lead-free-solder-joints(1b812ece-f7d9-474f-9568-b8cf26886fb1).html