Practical quantitative solderability testing

Quantitative solderability testing is explored in all its aspects. The methods are discussed as well as the standardization problems and the limited usage in the electronics industry. The latest wetting balance test methods are discussed in detail. A practical, easy-to-use system is examined which can combine any wetting balance with an off-the-shelf computer to enhance the use of quantitative solderability testing in the incoming inspection environment. The resulting program utilizes an advanced interpretation technique which culminates in a single solderability number. This solderability number reflects all the known solderability mechanisms, allowing consistent decisions to be made about the overall solderability of a lead. The output of the system is data on buoyancy-correlated wetting time, wetting force at 2 s, the maximum withdrawal force minus the maximum wetting force (the delta kick force), and the calculated solderability number