European directive2002/95/EC (RoHS) bans the use of several substances for electronic assemblies by July 2006. These
regulations have a great impact on the Electronic Packaging and Interconnection Technology. They affect specifications and
handling of Components,Printed Boards,Materials,Manufacturing processes,Rework / Repair and last,but not least,the
Reliability and Costs of products. Lead is the element that most affects the electronic manufacturing processes and designs,
as it is part of the standard soldering alloy (Sn63Pn37).
International associations (JEITA and IPC’s Solder Products Value Committee) recommend the use of the SAC 305 alloy
(3% Ag,0.5%Cu,96.5%Sn) as the alternative to SnPb.
This paper describes a Lead-free Test Vehicle that was used to test both the Design For Manufacture (DFM) guidelines and
the process variations in comparison with the current SnPb process. The paper is the result of a co-development project held
between OCE and Celestica to validate and modify,if necessary,the design,assembly specifications,and process control
parameters associated with the new soldering alloy.
The project was developed to test all aspects of the Pb-free assembly process from the double sided reflow process,single
sided reflow with cure process,selective wave solder process to standard wave solder processes. Different rework processes
were also evaluated,such as manual soldering,hot gas rework and solder fountain rework for TH connectors. The goal was
to determine if there was a preferred process flow for this new technology and if it could handle different processes without
any direct effect on functionality,yield or Reliability.