Metal deposited nanoparticles as “bridge materials” for lead-free solder nanocomposites

Abstract

An influence of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanospheres coated by Au–Pd and Pt on the microstructure of solder/copper joints at room temperature and after aging at sub-zero temperature. The carbon nanosized admixtures were mixed with ternary Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu matrix to prepare a composite solder. The microstructure of the solder joints between the nanocomposite solders and a copper substrate was studied by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that minor (0.05 wt. %) admixtures of both the carbon nanospheres and nanotubes increase the shear strength of the solder joints and reduce the growth rate of the intermetallic Cu6Sn5 layer, formed at the interface between solder and copper. This effect may be related to the adsorption of nanoinclusions on the grain surface during the solidification process. Comparative analysis suggests that exposure for 2 months at 253 K does not lead to deterioration of such an important mechanical characteristic of the solder joint as shear strength, indicating the possibility of using these nanocomposite solders in microelectronic equipment even at temperatures below 0 ℃.