Corrosion behavior of Sn-based lead-free solder alloys: a review

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics 2020-06, Vol.31 (12), p.9076-9090
• Main Authors: Li, Shuai, Wang, Xingxing, Liu, Zhongying, Jiu, Yongtao, Zhang, Shuye, Geng, Jinfeng, Chen, Xiaoming, Wu, Shengjin, He, Peng, Long, Weimin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloy development; Alloying elements; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Copper; Corrosion; Corrosion mechanisms; Corrosion products; Corrosion resistance; Corrosion resistant alloys; Lead free; Materials Science; Miniaturization; Morphology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Reliability aspects; Review; Silver; Temperature; Tin; Tin base alloys
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-020-03540-2

Sn-based lead-free solder alloys have been investigated widely to replace the traditional Sn–Pb solder alloys. Since the miniaturization of electronic products and the expansion of application field, the corrosion resistance of solder alloys play a key factor in the reliability of electronic products in long-term service. In this article, we review the recent progress on the corrosion behavior of Sn-based lead-free solder alloys by summarizing the results in representative ones of Sn–Bi, Sn–Cu, Sn–Zn, Sn–Ag, Sn–Ag–Cu and other multi-elements lead-free solder alloys. Specifically, the relationship between microstructure morphology and corrosion behavior, the corrosion mechanism of Sn-based lead-free solder alloys after incorporation of alloy elements or particles are summarized. It is hoped that this overview will provide some useful information in clarifying the corrosion mechanism and development of lead-free solder alloys. Furthermore, remaining difficulties and future trends in this research field are proposed.