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Soldering & Surface Mount Technology
ISSN: 0954-0911
Online from: 1989
Subject Area: Electrical & Electronic Engineering
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Investigation of the effect of nitrogen and air atmospheres on solder wettability of plasma-treated HASL finish PCBs
| Title: | Investigation of the effect of nitrogen and air atmospheres on solder wettability of plasma-treated HASL finish PCBs |
|---|---|
| Author(s): | G. Takyi, (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana), N.N. Ekere, (Electronic Manufacturing Engineering Research Group, Medway School of Engineering, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK) |
| Citation: | G. Takyi, N.N. Ekere, (2010) "Investigation of the effect of nitrogen and air atmospheres on solder wettability of plasma-treated HASL finish PCBs", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 22 Iss: 3, pp.17 - 21 |
| Keywords: | Air, Atmosphere, Nitrogen, Printed circuits, Soldering |
| Article type: | Research paper |
| DOI: | 10.1108/09540911011054154 (Permanent URL) |
| Publisher: | Emerald Group Publishing Limited |
| Acknowledgements: | The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Nortel Networks, Harlow, UK for the work reported in this paper. Special thanks are due to the operators and engineers at the R&D department for general assistance and Auger analysis, respectively. |
| Abstract: | Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and air atmospheres on the solderability testing of plasma-treated hot air solder level (HASL) finish printed circuit boards (PCBs). Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, the soldering performance of plasma-treated HASL finish PCBs in nitrogen and air atmospheres have been evaluated using the wetting balance technique. The results were compared with the performance of conventionally flux-treated samples soldered in air and nitrogen atmospheres and non-flux treated samples soldered in air. Auger chemical analysis results were also compared with the solderability test results in order to obtain a complete profile of the plasma-treated and non-treated surfaces. Findings – The results of the auger chemical analysis show high organic (carbon) levels in the control samples and a significant drop in organic levels in the plasma-treated samples. The significant drop in the level of carbon leads to a decrease in contact angle and an increase in both surface energy and solder wettability. The results indicate that plasma cleaning of PCBs prior to soldering is a viable alternative to the conventional use of flux. Originality/value – The paper indicates that the soldering performance of plasma-treated PCBs in air and nitrogen atmosphere are comparable. The findings give the motivation for the use of plasma-assisted dry cleaning for fluxless soldering. |
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