Sedimentation of Cu-rich intermetallics in liquid lead-free solders

This study investigated the behavior of Cu-containing intermetallic compounds (IMCs) in liquid Sn–Ag and Sn–Zn solders. Experimental results show that for the intermetallics investigated, Cu–Sn and Cu–Zn compounds, the occurrence of settling was dominated by the crystalline temperature of IMCs, buoyancy due to difference in densities, and dissolution potential for the compounds into the liquid. The complete dissolution of Cu–Zn compounds, which took place in the Sn–Zn solders when the Cu content exceeded a critical value, might be ascribed to the depletion of Zn in the melt.