Measurements of solder paste viscosity during its tempering and aging

Solder paste printing is one of the most important steps in the surface mount technology, which has high influence on the resulting quality of solder joints. To achieve a good joint quality, the solder paste should have specific properties like adhesion, viscosity, size of the solder alloy particles, amount of flux etc. This paper is focused on the measurement of the solder paste viscosity during its tempering and aging with possibility of regeneration of solder paste properties by jelly flux. Three types of solder pastes were used in the experiment: Sn95.5Ag4Cu0.5, Sn96.5Ag3Cu0.5 and Sn62Pb36Ag2. Viscosity of solder paste is measured from storing temperature to the ambient temperature. Aging of solder pastes is made in ambient atmosphere. Regeneration of solder paste properties after aging was done by adding of jelly flux Amtech 4300/LF-4300-TF. The viscosity of pure solder paste before aging, pure solder paste after aging and solder paste after aging regenerated by jelly flux was measured by rotation viscometer Brookfield Synchroelectric Viscometer, model HBT. The article describes if the addition of jelly flux to the aged solder pastes regenerates their properties.