Embodiments of the invention include a semiconductor device and methods of forming the semiconductor device. In an embodiment the semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor die with one or more die contacts. Embodiments include a reflown solder bump on one or more of the die contacts. In an embodiment, an intermetallic compound (IMC) barrier layer is formed at the interface between the solder bump and the die contact. In an embodiment, the IMC barrier layer is a CuZn IMC and/or a Cu5Zn8 IMC.