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February 9, 2012
Solderability Problems at Low Humidity
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How To Eliminate Pesky Solder Balls?
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IR or Vapor Phase for Prototypes
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Micro Solder Balls Problem
Micro Solder Balls Problem
We're using a lead-free HASL circuit board with a SAC alloy and a RoHS reflow process using nitrogen. We are generating micro solder balls.
This program first published April 2010
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Expert Panel contributors for this topic:
Gregory Arslanian, Global Segment Manager, Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
Edward Zamborsky, Regional Sales Manager, OK International Inc.
Al Cabral, Product Development Manager, VJ Technologies, Inc.
Mike Scimeca, President, FCT Assembly
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Solder spatter (solder splash) is an interesting phenomenon that can be exacerbated by low ppm O2 levels (i.e. in nitrogen reflow). See a discussion at: http://blogs.indium.com/blog/semiconductor-and-power-semi-assembly/0/0/solderspatter-solder-paste-in-unexpected-places

Andy C Mackie, Indium Corporation
Remember that solder under the chip's edge after placement is shadowed so it heats up slower and can result in an "island" of solder that pools up on the solder mask if the unshadowed solder melts quickly and pulls away. Make sure your screen apertures are designed so that when the paste is squeezed down, shadowed solder is minimized. Also, make sure the screen bottom is super cleaned between applications.

James McGrath, Lockheed Martin
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