Soldering with SACX0307-(TiO2/ZnO) nano-composite solder alloys

In the present research, the solderability of SACX0307 nano-composite solder alloys was studied. The SACX0307 solder alloys were reinforced by ZnO or TiO2 nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were mixed into the solder paste in different volume fractions between 0.25 and 1 wt%, using the ball milling process. Wetting and mechanical tests were performed with the nano-composite solder alloys and with the reference SACX0307 as well. It was found that the ceramic reinforcements did not have a considerable effect on the wetting of the composite solder alloys. However, the shear strength of the nano-composite solder joints increased compared to the reference SACX0307. Generally, the application of TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in a bit better solderin properties than the ZnO nanoparticles. No straightforward correlation was found between the volume fraction of the ceramic nanoparticles and the soldering properties of the nano-composite solder alloys. Expect in the case of the ZnO nanoparticles, when the volume fraction should not exceed 0.5wt% since it can inhibit the proper reflow of the solder paste.