Tensile properties and thermal shock reliability of Sn-Ag-Cu solder joint with indium addition.

The thermal shock reliability and tensile properties of a newly developed quaternary Sn-1.2Ag-0.5Cu-0.4In (wt%) solder alloy were investigated and compared to those of ternary Sn-Ag-Cu based Pb-free solder alloys. It was revealed that the Sn-1.2Ag-0.5Cu-0.4In solder alloy shows better thermal shock reliability compared to the Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu and Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu solder alloys. The quaternary alloy has higher strength than Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu alloy, and higher elongation than Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu alloy. It was also revealed that the addition of indium promotes the formation of Ag3(Sn, In) phase in the solder joint during reflow process.