One of the greatest challenges facing package manufacturers is to develop reliable fine pitch thin packages with high leadcounts, capable of dissipating heat, and deliver them in volume to the market in a very short space of time. How can this be done? Firstly, package structures, materials, and manufacturing processes must be optimised. Secondly, it is necessary to predict the likely failures and behaviour of parts before manufacture, whilst minimising the amount of time and money invested in undertaking costly experimental trials. In a high volume production environment, any design improvement that increases yield and reliability can be of immense benefit to the manufacturer. Components and systems need to be packaged to protect the IC from its environment. Encapsulating devices in plastic is very cheap and has the advantage of allowing them to be produced in high volume on an assembly line. Currently 95% of all ICs are encapsulated in plastic. Plastic packages are robust, light weight, and suitable for automated assembly onto printed circuit boards. They have developed from low pincount (14-28 pins) dual-in-line (DIP) packages in the 1970s, to fine pitch PQFPs (plastic quad flat pack) and TQFPs (thin quad flat pack) in the 1980s-1990s, with leadcounts as high as 256. The demand for PQFPs in 1997 was estimated to be 15 billion and this figure is expected to grow to 20 billion by the year 2000.

Failure analysis is the preferred method to investigate product or process reliability and to ensure optimum performance of electrical components and systems. The physics-of-failure approach is the only internationally accepted solution for continuously improving the reliability of materials, devices and processes. The models have been developed from the physical and chemical phenomena that are responsible for degradation or failure of electronic components and materials and now replace popular distribution models for failure mechanisms such as Weibull or lognormal. Reliability engineers need practical orientation around the complex procedures involved in failure analysis. This guide acts as a tool for all advanced techniques, their benefits and vital aspects of their use in a reliability programme. Using twelve complex case studies, the authors explain why failure analysis should be used with electronic components, when implementation is appropriate and methods for its successful use. Inside you will find detailed coverage on: a synergistic approach to failure modes and mechanisms, along with reliability physics and the failure analysis of materials, emphasizing the vital importance of cooperation between a product development team involved the reasons why failure analysis is an important tool for improving yield and reliability by corrective actions the design stage, highlighting the ‘concurrent engineering' approach and DfR (Design for Reliability) failure analysis during fabrication, covering reliability monitoring, process monitors and package reliability reliability resting after fabrication, including reliability assessment at this stage and corrective actions a large variety of methods, such as electrical methods, thermal methods, optical methods, electron microscopy, mechanical methods, X-Ray methods, spectroscopic, acoustical, and laser methods new challenges in reliability testing, such as its use in microsystems and nanostructures This practical yet comprehensive reference is useful for manufacturers and engineers involved in the design, fabrication and testing of electronic components, devices, ICs and electronic systems, as well as for users of components in complex systems wanting to discover the roots of the reliability flaws for their products.

Benefiting from Thermal and Mechanical Simulation in Micro-Electronics presents papers from the first international conference on this topic, EuroSimE2000. For the first time, people from the electronics industry, research institutes, software companies and universities joined together to discuss present and possible future thermal and mechanical related problems and challenges in micro-electronics; the state-of-the-art methodologies for thermal & mechanical simulation and optimization of micro-electronics; and the perspectives of future simulation and optimization methodology development. Main areas covered are:- LIST type="5" The impact of simulation on industry profitability Approaches to simulation The state-of-the-art methodologies of simulation Design optimization by simulation £/LIST£ Benefiting from Thermal and Mechanical Simulation in Micro-Electronics is suitable for students at graduate level and beyond, and for researchers, designers and specialists in the fields of microelectronics and mechanics.

Robust Design of Microelectronics Assemblies Against Mechanical Shock, Temperature and Moisture discusses how the reliability of packaging components is a prime concern to electronics manufacturers. The text presents a thorough review of this important field of research, providing users with a practical guide that discusses theoretical aspects, experimental results, and modeling techniques. The authors use their extensive experience to produce detailed chapters covering temperature, moisture, and mechanical shock induced failure, adhesive interconnects, and viscoelasticity. Useful program files and macros are also included. Discusses how the reliability of packaging components is a prime concern to electronics manufacturers Presents a thorough review of this important field of research, providing users with a practical guide that discusses theoretical aspects, experimental results, and modeling techniques Includes program files and macros for additional study

Covering the major topics in lead-free soldering Lead-free Soldering Process Development and Reliability provides a comprehensive discussion of all modern topics in lead-free soldering. Perfect for process, quality, failure analysis and reliability engineers in production industries, this reference will help practitioners address issues in research, development and production. Among other topics, the book addresses: · Developments in process engineering (SMT, Wave, Rework, Paste Technology) · Low temperature, high temperature and high reliability alloys · Intermetallic compounds · PCB surface finishes and laminates · Underfills, encapsulants and conformal coatings · Reliability assessments In a regulatory environment that includes the adoption of mandatory lead-free requirements in a variety of countries, the book’s explanations of high-temperature, low-temperature, and high-reliability lead-free alloys in terms of process and reliability implications are invaluable to working engineers. Lead-free Soldering takes a forward-looking approach, with an eye towards developments likely to impact the industry in the coming years. These will include the introduction of lead-free requirements in high-reliability electronics products in the medical, automotive, and defense industries. The book provides practitioners in these and other segments of the industry with guidelines and information to help comply with these requirements.

This book is written by leading experts with both profound knowledge and rich practical experience in advanced mechanics and the microelectronics industry essential for current and future development. It aims to provide the cutting edge knowledge and solutions for various mechanical related problems, in a systematic way. It contains important and detailed information about the state-of-the-art theories, methodologies, the way of working and real case studies.