Become a Member
Become a Member
LIBRARY
  2. Library
  3. Viewnugget
  4. 241

Pressure-Assisted Sintering of Nanoscale Silver Paste

Year: 2010
Fig. 1. Recommended sintering time-temperature profile for applying the nanosilver paste to attach devices.
With advances in power semiconductor device technology and the drive towards smaller volume and high power density, higher junction temperature (200 to 300°C) and longer lifetime are demanded in power electronic packaging. The die attachment is typically the largest contact that is formed between the device and the packaging substrate and is therefore the primary heat dissipation path and thus strongly influences the thermal performance of the modules, which in turn affects the electrical performance and lifetime. Today, power semiconductor devices in advanced single-chip packages and multi-chip power modules are attached to substrates either with solder alloys or with an electrically conductive epoxy. With the trend toward higher power densities and higher junction temperatures, current die-attach materials will be operating very close to their melting points or decomposition temperatures and are gradually being pushed beyond their designed operating limits.

Solder alloys are routinely used for die-attachment and interconnection (for non-wirebond packaging). While they are relatively easy to use, they have low thermal conductivities and are susceptible to fatigue failure. Their low melting points limit the maximum operating temperature of the modules. Because the joint is formed by the solder reflowing process, the operating temperature of the joint can only approach the melting point. Even the high-temperature solder materials (high-Pb and Au-based) will be operating close to their melting points between 250 and 350°C. In addition, concerns about the health hazard posed by lead combined with the European RoHS directive coming into effect has led to the search for Pb-free alternatives, even with exemptions in place for some critical applications such as automotives and high-temperature systems. A metal or metal alloy that combines relatively low processing temperature and high-temperature capability is obviously a better choice.

A nanosilver paste that can be used as a lead-free die-attachment has been developed. Follow the designed heating profile, Fig. 1, nanoscale silver paste can be fired at temperatures below 300°C and is capable of high temperature operation. The joint that is formed after sintering contains sub-micrometer to micrometer-scale pores that are randomly distributed in the microstructure. This type of microstructure gives a very low elastic modulus, 9 GPa, that is substantially lower than those of bulk silver and high-temperature solder alloys while the CTE is comparable to that of bulk silver. Its electrical and thermal conductivities are around five times higher than those of solder alloys. Typical die-shear strength of around 30 MPa can be obtained at 300°C or lower firing temperature at a relatively short peak temperature dwell time of 10 minutes and can be increased further by a higher firing temperature and/or the application of a small amount of pressure.


Fig. 2. (a) Pressure-assisted sintering of nanoscale silver paste; home-built setup.
Fig. 2. (b) Die-shear strength vs. applied pressure.
Fig. 2. (c) Die-shear strength vs. bondline thickness.

Our Industry Partners

About CPES

Events/Presentations

Education

Interested in Becoming a CPES Member?

Learn more


Having technical issues?

Get Help

Copyright © 2021 Virginia Tech Center for Power Electronics Systems