Performance assessment on board-level drop reliability for chip scale packages (fine-pitch BGA)

Board level drop testing is an effective method to characterize the solder joint reliability performance of miniature handheld products. In this study, drop test of printed circuit boards (PCB) with four-screw support condition was conducted for a 15 mm times 15 mm fine-pitch ball grid array (FBGA) package assembly with solder ball compositions of 36Pb-62Sn-2Ag and Sn-4Ag-0.5Cu on PCB surface finishes of organic solderability preservative, electroless nickel immersion gold and immersion tin. The results revealed a strong influence of different intermetallic compound formation on soldered assemblies drop durability. The lead-based solder supersedes the lead-free composition regardless of the types of surface finish. Joints on organic solderability preservative were found to be strongest for each solder type. Other factors affecting drop reliability such as component location on the board and thermal aging effects are reported