Failure Modes of Flip Chip Solder Joints Under High Electric Current Density

The failure modes of flip chip solder joints under high electrical current density are studied experimentally. Three different failure modes are reported. Only one of the failure modes is caused by the combined effect of electromigration and thermomigration, where void nucleation and growth contribute to the ultimate failure of the module. The Ni under bump metallization–solder joint interface is found to be the favorite site for void nucleation and growth. The effect of pre-existing voids on the failure mechanism of a solder joint is also investigated