Mechanical properties of FeCo magnetic particles-based Sn-Ag-Cu solder composites

We demonstrate magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in enabling lead-free solder reflow in RF fields and improved mechanical properties that impact solder joint reliability. Here, we report on Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) alloys. SAC solder-FeCo MNP composites with 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt. % FeCo MNP and the use of AC magnetic fields to achieve localized reflow. Electron microscopy of the as-reflowed samples show a decrease in the volume of Sn dendrite regions as well as smaller and more homogeneously dispersed Ag₃Sn intermetallic compounds (IMCs) with increasing MNP concentrations. Mechanical properties of the composites were measured by nanoindentation. In pure solder samples and solder composites with 4 wt. % MNP, hardness values increased from 0.18 GPa to 0.20 GPa and the modulus increased from 39.22 GPa to 71.22 GPa. The stress exponent, reflecting creep resistance, increased from 12.85 of pure solder to 16.47 for solder composites with 4 wt. % MNP. Enhanced mechanical properties as compared with the as-prepared solder joints are explained in terms of grain boundary and dispersion strengthening resulting from the microstructural refinement.