Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Sitaraman, Suresh.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.181-188).

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-90). Also available in electronic version.

With the dramatic advances that have taken place in microelectronics over the past three decades, ball-grid array (BGA) packages are increasingly being used in microsystems applications. BGA packages with area-array configuration have several advantages: smaller footprint, faster signal transmission, testability, reworkability, handling easiness, etc. Although ceramic ball grid array (CBGA) packages have been used extensively in the microsystems industry, the use of plastic ball grid array (PBGA) packages is relatively new, especially for automotive and aerospace applications where harsh thermal conditions prevail. This thesis work has developed an experimental and a theoretical modeling program to study the reliability of two PBGA packages. The physics-based theoretical models take into consideration the time-dependent creep behavior through power law creep and time-independent plastic behavior through multi-linear kinematic hardening. In addition, unified viscoplastic constitutive models are also taken into consideration. The models employ two damage-metrics, namely inelastic strain and inelastic strain energy density, to predict the solder joint fatigue life. The theoretical predictions have been validated through air-to-air in-house thermal cycling tests carried out between 55 and #61616;C and 125 and #61616;C. In addition, laser-moir interferometry has been used to determine the displacement contours in a cross-section of the package at various temperatures. These contours measured through moir interferometry have also been used to validate the thermally-induced displacement contours, predicted by the models. Excellent agreement is seen between the experimental data and the theoretical predictions. In addition to life prediction, the models have been extended to map the field-use conditions with the accelerated thermal cycling conditions. Both linear and non-linear mapping techniques have been developed employing inelastic strain and strain energy density as the damage metric. It is shown through this research that the symmetric MIL-STD accelerated thermal cycles, currently in practice in industry, have to be modified to account for the higher percentage of creep deformation experienced by the solder joints in the field-use conditions. Design guidelines have been developed for such modifications in the accelerated thermal cycles.

Solder joints serve as both mechanical and electrical connections between elements in a package. They are subjected to shear strains generated as a result of the different behaviors of the elements in the package (tension and compression) due to the differences in coefficients of thermal expansion during service conditions. Some of the causes of solder joint failures are due to the following: Vibration: small rapid displacements of parts of the assembly. This is not necessarily an issue with electronic components but larger parts like automobiles. Humidity: the package being exposed to water or ionic species can undergo corrosion if an electrical bias exists resulting in electrical opens or electrical shorts if the corrosion products are electrically conductive. Thermal Aging: this occurs during the lifetime of the solder interconnects, the package can be exposed to high ambient temperature or high dissipated heat during use. The micro-structure of the solder joint becomes more coarse and brittle. Mechanical Shock: the package undergoes shock during a short term exposure to high loads. Thermo-mechanical fatigue: this type of failure arises as a result of the solder joints going through cyclic strains, due to different coefficients of thermal expansion of individual components in the package during service. The most prevalent long-term reliability issues that can cause interconnect failure are thermal aging and thermo-mechanical fatigue. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of solder joints using finite element method, considering solder joint failure due to thermo-mechanical fatigue. Three variations of the BGA (Ball Grid Array) package are evaluated using the finite element analysis. The SAC305 series lead (pb) free alloy of 96.5% tin, 3% silver, and 0.5% copper is employed for this study.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Rolla, 2007. / Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed December 7, 2007). Includes bibliographical references.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 175-)