Electrical conductivity changes in bulk Sn, and eutectic Sn-Ag in bulk and in joints, from aging and thermal shock

Electrical conductivity of electronic interconnects made with Sn-based solders undergo a significant amount of deterioration during service. Several factors, such as anisotropy of Sn, coefficient of thermal expansion mismatches between the entities that make up the joint, and growth of intermetallic compounds present within the solder and solder/substrate interface, may contribute to the damage accumulation during thermal excursions and cause deterioration of properties. This study dealing with effects of aging and thermal shock on electrical conductivity, carried out with bulk Sn, and eutectic Sn–Ag in bulk and joint configurations, is aimed at evaluating the roles of the above factors on the deterioration of electrical conductivity from these thermal excursions.