Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing an electroconductive contact layer on a metallic substrate, for example a bipolar plate and/or an electrode of a fuel cell. A layer with aluminium is first applied to the metallic substrate, followed by a silver contact element. In the vacuum and when heated, the silver from the silver contact element and the aluminium are transformed into a eutectic Ag-Al soldering compound. The method is especially suitable for creating a material connection between the silver contact elements on the anode side and those on the cathode side in a high temperature fuel cell.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for improved cutting of an object (12) is provided. The object can take the form of many different structures including thin formations that require cutting precision, support, and dimensional control. In accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, the method of cutting a member uses a laser and begins with the step of providing a template (16) removably adhered to the member (12). The laser then projects through the template, without intersecting with the template, to cut the member and manufacture the desired formation. The laser does not intersect with, and therefore does not cut, the template structure and cause excess laser cutting dust.
Abstract:
There is provided a flow soldering process for mounting an electronic component onto a board (13) by means of a lead-free solder material, wherein the molten solder material is supplied and attached to a predetermined portion of the board (13) in a solder material supplying zone (6), and thereafter the board (13) is cooled by a cooling unit in a cooling zone (7) such that the solder material adhering to the board (13) is rapidly cooled to solidify.
Abstract:
An electronic equipment is capable of improving falling down shock resistance or impact resistance in an electronic equipment and of improving reliability of a solder joint (8) in a semiconductor device die-bonded Si chip or the like to which thermal shock causing large deformation may act, bump mounting of BGA, CSP, WPP, flip-chip and so forth, a power module acting large stress and so forth. The electronic equipment has a circuit board (6) and an electronic parts to be electrically connected to an electrode of the circuit board. The electrode of the circuit board (6) and an electrode of the electronic part are connected by soldering using a lead free solder (8) consisted of Cu: 0 ∼ 2.0 mass%, In: 0.1 ∼ 10 mass%, and Sn: remaining amount.
Abstract:
The invention relates to use of a solder composition exhibiting a desired combination of high creep resistance at typical operating temperatures and low stress in formed solder joints. The invention uses a solder containing 82 to 85 wt.% Au, 12 to 14 wt.% Sn, and 3 to 4 wt.% Ga (optionally with up to 2 wt.% additional elements). The small amount of added Ga induces a significant depression in the liquidus temperatures of both Au and Sn, and thus a depressed melting point (about 27°C less than eutectic Au-Sn solder), and also provides an enhanced temperature-sensitivity of the solder's creep resistance.
Abstract:
An apparatus for placing spheres at predetermined positions on a substrate. The apparatus includes a platform (112) to support the substrate at a first sphere placement position in the apparatus, and a placement station (107) disposed above the platform (112) that places spheres at locations on the substrate. The placement station (107) includes a first container (190) having a chamber to contain spheres, and a first carrier tray (182) having a substantially horizontal upper surface that forms a lower surface of the chamber. The upper surface has a first section and a second section, the second section having a plurality of holes (209) formed therein to receive spheres. The first carrier tray (182) is movable to position the second section between a fill position beneath the first container (190) and a place position disposed over the first sphere placement position. The placement station is constructed and arranged to fill the plurality of holes (209) with spheres when the second section is in the fill position, and place the spheres at the predetermined positions on the substrate when the second section is in the place position.
Abstract:
A soldered composition formed as a paste by use of a fugitive carrier medium including up to 5-15% (by weight) flux, the solder composition being useful for soldering electronic components and packages to a circuit on a substrate consisting of a low cost thermoplastic or polymer having a heat deflection temperature. The composition comprises: (a) a ternary or binary eutectic powder of the alloy system Sn-Bi-In that melts below the heat deflection temperature, (b) a second powder admixed with the first, the second powder consisting of a tin-based powder that reacts with the first powder at 150°C or less in 15 minutes or less and has a melting temperature above the heat deflection temperature, said powders containing less than .1% Pb as an impurity and being proportioned in a weight ratio of 3:1 to 1:3, and (c) other alloying additives selected from the group of Cu, Ni, Ag, Ce, In, Bi, and Au which enhance the mechanical properties of the soldered joints at elevated temperatures and which do not inhibit metallurgical interactions of the first and second powders during soldering. A method of soldering electronic components to a substrate is also disclosed.
Abstract:
High melting temperature Pb/Sn 95/5 solder balls (18) are connected to copper pads on the bottom of a ceramic chip carrier substrate (10) by low melting temperature eutectic Pb/Sn solder. The connection is made by quick reflow to prevent dissolving Pb into the eutectic solder and raising its melting temperature. Then the module is placed on a fiberglass-epoxy circuit board with the solder balls on eutectic Pb/Sn solder bumps on copper pads of the board. The structure is reflowed to simultaneously melt the solder on both sides of the balls to allow each ball to center between the carrier pad and circuit board pad to form a more symmetric joint. This process results in structure that are more reliable under high temperature cycling. Also, to further improve reliability, the balls are made as large as the I/O spacing allows without bridging beam on balls; the two pads are about the same size with more solder on the smaller pad; the pads are at least 75% of the ball diameter; and the eutectic joints are made as large as possible without bridging between pads. For reliability at even higher temperature cycles or larger substrate sizes columns are used instead of balls.
Abstract:
A hand-held heating tool (10) comprises a handle (12), a heating applicator (15) attached to the handle (12), and means (14,16) for electrically heating the heat applicator (15). The heat applicator (15) comprises a metal sole plate (20) of generally planar shape having: a generally planar first surface (21) that in use is lowermost to contact a substrate (31-38) to be heated; a generally planar second surface (22), substantially parallel to the first and closely adjacent thereto, to be exposed to the surrounding ambient air; and first and second extensions (23,24) of the first and second planar surfaces (21,22), said extensions (23,24) being each directed upwardly and forwardly to define a shape for the leading end of the tool - when it is in use moved forwardly over the substrate - in the form of an upwardly and forwardly directed lip (26).