Comparison of Wettability for Sn-Based Solders on Copper and Aluminum Substrates

Abstract

The wetting properties of four typical Sn-based solders, i.e., Sn-37Pb, Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu, Sn-0.7Cu and Sn-9Zn, on copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) substrates at 250 °C, 260 °C and 270 °C were evaluated and compared by wetting balance method. The experimental results show that the wetting time of all solders on Cu substrate is shorter than that on Al substrate, but the wetting force of the solders with Cu substrate is bigger than that with Al substrate except Sn-9Zn solder. In addition, the wettability of the solders on Al substrate increases with increasing soldering temperature, and the wetting force of Sn-9Zn increases most obviously among four solders and reach 3.68 mN at 270 °C. The results also show that the wettability of the solders on Cu substrate mainly depends on surface tension of solder alloy, however, it depends on both surface tension and interaction with Al on Al substrate. Due to the active element Zn riches on the surface of Sn-9Zn solder, and Zn solid solutes into Al more easily, the wettability of Sn-9Zn solder on Al substrate is better than other three solders.