Influences of Impurity Incorporation in Electroplated Cu on the SnAgCu and Ni-Containing SnAgCu Solder Joints

SnAgCu and Ni-containing SnAgCu alloys are Pb-free solders widely used to join with Cu to construct the solder joints. Electrodeposition is a technology commonly used to fabricate Cu but co-deposition of organic impurities originating from additives is an inevitable reliability issue. This study investigates the impurity effect on the voiding propensity in the two solder joints (SnAgCu/Cu and SnAgCu-Ni/Cu) subjected to thermal aging at 200 °C. Results show that a high level of impurity incorporation causes massive void propagation along the SnAgCu/Cu and SnAgCu-Ni/Cu interface. Reduction of the impurity concentration by precise control of the additive formulas can weaken the impurity effect and effectively suppress the void propagation. The weakening phenomenon of the impurity effect is more pronounced in the SnAgCu-Ni/Cu joint, indicating that suppression of the Cu 3 Sn growth as well as Kirkendall voids by Ni addition is also helpful in reducing the influences of impurities.