Reliability of flexible electrically conductive adhesives

Based on our previous work about electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs), a flexibilizer named 1,3-propanediol bis (4-aminobenzoate) was used to fabricate flexible ECAs (FECAs). ECAs, FECAs, and electronic devices connected by them were carried out the hot and humid aging test under constant humidity level of 85% relative humidity at 85 °C for 600 h. After aging, the bulk resistance change of ECAs was about 26%, that of FECAs was a little higher, about 29%. The contact resistance change of devices connected by ECAs and FECAs was very great, about 450% and 410%, respectively. The bonding area at connection interface between colloids and devices had delamination, even cracks. The delamination of ECAs was calculated about 60%, the average shear strength of ECAs was reduced about 45%, and those of FECAs were about 50% and 30%, respectively, so FECAs had a higher bonding stability in hot and humid environment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.