Tin Base Patents (Class 420/557)
  • Patent number: 6921497
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Electromagnetics Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Nagel
  • Patent number: 6893512
    Abstract: A solder alloy having a solderability comparable to that of a conventional Pb—Sn solder alloy without having a detrimental effect on the environment and a soldered bond using the same. A solder alloy consisting of Zn: 4.0-10.0 wt %, In: 1.0 to 15.0 wt %, Al: 0.0020 to 0.0100 wt %, and the balance of Sn and unavoidable impurities. A soldered bond of an electric or electronic device composed of the above solder alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masayuki Kitajima, Tadaaki Shono, Masakazu Takesue, Yutaka Noda
  • Patent number: 6853077
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element having a plurality of element electrodes and a ball electrode electrically connected to at least one element electrode out of the plurality of element electrodes. The ball electrode is made of a Sn—Zn-based lead-free solder including 7 through 9.5 wt % of zinc and the remaining of tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seishi Oida, Sigeki Sakaguchi, Koji Ohmori, Kenrou Jitumori
  • Patent number: 6837947
    Abstract: This invention discloses a lead-free Sn—Zn—Al—Ag solder alloy, which is composed of 7-10 wt % of Zn, up to 0.5 wt % of Al, up to 4.0 wt % of Ag, and the balance of Sn; and a lead-free Sn—Zn—Al—Ag—Ga solder alloy, which is composed of 7-10 wt % of Zn, up to 0.5 wt % of Al, up to 4.0 wt % of Ag, up to 4.0 wt % of Ga; and the balance of Sn. The lead-free solder alloys of the present invention have better tensile strength and elongation than the conventional Sn—Pb solder alloys. In addition, the lead-free solder alloys of the present invention have a melting point lower than 200° C., which is close to the 183.5° C. of an eutectic Sn—Pb alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: National Cheng-Kung University
    Inventors: Kwang-Lung Lin, Kang-I Chen, Shou-Chang Cheng, Jia-Wei Huang
  • Publication number: 20040265691
    Abstract: An anode material capable of improving cycle characteristics, and a battery using the anode material are provided. A disk-shaped cathode contained in a package can and a disk-shaped anode contained in a package cup are laminated with a separator in between. The anode includes an alloy or a compound including iron in addition to at least either tin or silicon. The ratio of iron in the alloy or the compound is preferably about 15% by mass or less. Moreover, it is preferable that the alloy or the compound further includes chromium in an amount of less than 1500 ppm by mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Hiroshi Imoto
  • Patent number: 6835332
    Abstract: A process for producing an electrode material for a rechargeable lithium battery, comprising the steps of mixing a metal compound (a) of a metal (a′) capable of being electrochemically alloyed with lithium, a transition metal compound (b) of a transition metal (b′) and a complexing agent (c) with a solvent (d) to obtain a mixed solution, mixing a reducing agent (e) with said mixed solution to obtain a mixture, and oxidizing said reducing agent in said mixture to reduce ion of said metal (a′) and ion of said transition metal (b′) to obtain an amorphous alloy material capable of being electrochemically alloyed with lithium as said electrode material. An electrode structural body in which said electrode material is used, and a rechargeable lithium battery in which said electrode material is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Yamamoto, Soichiro Kawakami, Hiroya Umeyama
  • Patent number: 6824039
    Abstract: Lead-free solder alloys based on a Sn—Ag—Mg system are disclosed. The alloy compositions have a melting temperature close to 183° C. and a similar surface tension to that of Sn—Pb solder, and can thus be a readily substituted for conventional Sn—Pb solders. P may be added to the alloy compositions to reduce its tendency of oxidation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Institute of High Performance Computing
    Inventors: Ping Wu, Kewu Bai
  • Patent number: 6815066
    Abstract: A composite material for use as a lead replacement, comprising a high density metal such as tungsten (W), a lower density metal such as tin (Sn) and an organic additive is disclosed. Also disclosed are processes for forming such composites. The composite is particularly useful in ammunition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20040208779
    Abstract: Lead-free Tin-Zinc alloy contains Manganese in the amount of about 0.001-0.9 wt. %. The alloy is suitable for use as a solder with commercially available fluxes. Various types of solders can be prepared from the alloy, like wire, cored wire, atomized powder, solder paste, thin sheet, ribbon foil, perform etc. The alloy has improved mechanical and electrical properties in comparison with conventional Tin-Lead alloys Sn9Zn and 63Sn37Pb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Ika Consulting Ltd.
    Inventors: Baruch Kopeliovich, Alberto Kaufman, Yaron Man
  • Patent number: 6805974
    Abstract: A solder composition and associated method of formation. The solder composition comprises a substantially lead-free alloy that includes tin (Sn), silver (Ag), and copper. The tin has a weight percent concentration in the alloy of at least about 90%. The silver has a weight percent concentration X in the alloy. X is sufficiently small that formation of Ag3Sn plates is substantially suppressed when the alloy in a liquefied state is being solidified by being cooled to a lower temperature at which the solid Sn phase is nucleated. This lower temperature corresponds to an undercooling &dgr;T relative to the eutectic melting temperature of the alloy. Alternatively, X may be about 4.0% or less, wherein the liquefied alloy is cooled at a cooling rate that is high enough to substantially suppress Ag3Sn plate formation in the alloy. The copper has a weight percent concentration in the alloy not exceeding about 1.5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Won K. Choi, Charles C. Goldsmith, Timothy A. Gosselin, Donald W. Henderson, Sung K. Kang, Karl J. Puttlitz, Sr., Da-Yuan Shih
  • Publication number: 20040187976
    Abstract: Lead-free solders comprising 85-96% tin (Sn) and 4-15% Indium (In) by weight percentage (wt. %) and exemplary uses of the same are disclosed. The Sn—In solder undergoes a martensitic phase change when it is cooled from a reflow temperature to room temperature. As a result, residual stresses that would normally occur due to solder strain caused by relative movement between joined components are substantially reduced. Typically, the relative movement results from a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the joined components. The disclosed exemplary uses include flip-chip assembly and IC package to circuit board mounting, such as ball grid array packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Fay Hua
  • Patent number: 6783057
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to employ a solder alloy comprising tin/lead/silver in order to provide a wider solidification range and achieve balance between the surface tensions of both side of a small leadless component. The expanded solidification range slows the melting and wetting time so as to balance the surface tension of the molten solder, and in turn reduces the tombstoning frequency. The preferred Ag concentration is 0.2-0.5% in weight, the more preferred Ag concentration is 0.3-0.4% in weight. For reflow soldering of small leadless components, the pastes made with the alloy compositions of Sn62.6Pb37Ag0.4 and Sn63Pb36.6Ag0.4 results in improvements in tombstoning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Indium Corporation of America
    Inventors: Benlih Huang, Ning C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20040156740
    Abstract: An Sn—Zn lead-free solder alloy according to the present invention is constructed in a manner such that it is an Sn-based solder alloy indispensably containing 6 to 10 wt% zinc at least and further containing 0.0015 to 0.03 wt% magnesium and 0.0010 to 0.006 wt% aluminum. Upon preservation of solder paste not only under refrigeration but also at a room temperature or higher, the inside of solder particle is protected by the protective magnesium/aluminum oxide film formed on the solder particle surface, and a reaction between zinc and an activator is suppressed, so that preservation stability is improved, and at the elevated temperature during soldering, the solder alloy enters a state where said protective oxide film is easily destroyed, so that good wettability is held.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Masaaki Yoshikawa, Haruo Aoyama, Hirotaka Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040141873
    Abstract: This invention provides solder that is substantially free of lead that minimizes corrosion from occurring in the soldering equipment such as the tip of the soldering iron and soldering dipping tank. Without substantial, if any, amount of lead in the solder, the solder does not expose lead into the environment. The solder composition also includes element(s) that extend the life of the soldering tip or other equipments associated with soldering. The solder composition may include Sn (tin) along with Co (cobalt) and Fe (iron). Tin may make up the most of the content in the solder composition. The two elements cobalt and iron substantially inhibit tin from corroding the iron, thereby substantially preventing the soldering iron tip and dipping solder tank from corroding. The composition of the solder may also include Ag (silver) to improve the mechanical strength and wettability of the solder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Tadashi Takemoto, Takashi Nagase, Takashi Uetani, Morio Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20040126268
    Abstract: A resin sealed IC has a plurality of external terminals. A metal thin film made of a Sn-Bi alloy is formed in direct contact with the surface of a base member of each external terminal. A Bi content in the Sn-Bi alloy layer is within a range of 0.5 to 6.0 wt %. Further, the Sn-Bi alloy layer has a single-layer plating structure, and the film thickness is within a range of 10 to 25 MIC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenta Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20040100353
    Abstract: An alloy type thermal fuse is provided in which a ternary Sn—In—Bi alloy is used, excellent overload characteristic and dielectric breakdown characteristic are attained, the insulation safety after an operation can be sufficiently assured, and a fuse element can be easily thinned. A fuse element having an alloy composition in which Sn is larger than 46% and 70% or smaller, Bi is 1% or larger and 12% or smaller, and In is 18% or larger and smaller than 48% is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040091385
    Abstract: The invention relates to ternary tin zinc alloy coatings 30-65 wt. % tin, 30-65 wt. % zinc and 0.1-15 wt. % metal from the following group as a third alloy component; iron, cobalt, nickel. Correspondingly, alloy coatings can be produced by means of electrolytic deposition from aqueous galvanic electroplating solutions which contain the components of the alloy in a dissolved form. The alloy coatings are characterised in that they have a particularly high resistance to corrosion and are particularly suitable as anti-corrosion protective coatings on iron-based materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Klaus Leyendecker, G?uuml;nter Wirth, Klaus Reissmller, Steffen Dumke
  • Publication number: 20040050207
    Abstract: Low nanosized combusted products are obtained by introducing at least one volatile metal compound into the flame of a non-premixed, multi-element diffusion flame burner which exhibits a one-dimensional temperature profile. The combustion process generates a stable environment favoring formation of very small particles of uniform composition. Adjusting burner stoichiometry enables production of zero valent metal powders and metal compounds of low or intermediate oxidation states as well as the usual more highly oxidized species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Margaret S. Wooldridge, Paul V. Torek, David L. Hall, Tiffany A. Miller
  • Patent number: 6692691
    Abstract: A Pb-free soldering alloy that does not include any Pb is provided. The soldering alloy prevents Cu present in a printed-circuit board from combining with Ni in the soldering alloy at the soldered part, prevents Cu from precipitating and diffusing in the soldering alloy, suppresses the generation of fine cracks at the soldered part and increases the mechanical strength of the soldered part. The Pb-free soldering alloy contains 3.5 to 6.0 wt. % Ag, 0.001 to 1.0 wt. % Ni and Sn for the balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignees: Nihon Alimit Co., Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sawamura, Hisashi Komiya, Tsuguo Inazawa, Fujio Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6689488
    Abstract: A lead-free solder, which contains from 1.0 to 3.5% of Ag, from 0.1 to 0.7% of Cu, and from 0.1 to 2.0% of In, the balance consisting of unavoidable impurities and Sn, is appropriate for ball-grid array (BGA). The solute Cu suppresses growth of intermetallic compound formed at the interface between the bulk of solder and a Ni or Cu conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Yoshitome, Yasuhisa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6673310
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature solder material which is composed of tin, zinc and silver, or of 0.01 to 2 wt % germanium or aluminum and the balance tin, or tin and zinc at a ratio of 80/20 to 70/30. The tin/zinc/silver solder has a composition ratio that the ratio of till to zinc is within a range of 97/3 to 79/21 by weight, and the ratio of the sum of tin and zinc to silver is within a range of 88/12 to 50/50 by weight, or that the ratio of tin to zinc is within a range of 70/30 to 5/95 by weight, and the ratio of silver to the sum of tin, zinc and silver is 15% by weight or less. The solder material is used for producing electric or electronic devices and equipments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masahiro Tadauchi, Izuru Komatsu, Hiroshi Tateishi, Kouichi Teshima, Kazutaka Matsumoto, Tetsuji Hori
  • Patent number: 6659329
    Abstract: A new soldering technique and solder alloy for wetting and joining hard-to-wet materials including titanium alloys such as nitinol uses a solder alloy containing tin and an active wetting promoting element such as aluminum in the presence of ultrasound. As shown in the Figure, molten solder alloy (10) is applied to the hard-to-wet material (18) with the application of ultrasonic energy (14) which removes coatings (20) such as tenacious surface oxides to leave the base material (18) which is readily wetted by the solder alloy (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Edison Welding Institute, Inc
    Inventor: Peter Hall
  • Patent number: 6656422
    Abstract: The invention includes a die-bonding solder material having tin and gold. The composition ratio of tin and gold includes a eutectic point defined by having more content of tin than the content of gold. The die-bonding solder material further includes a metal additive having a higher melting point than tin, forming no eutectic with tin, and having a higher eutectic point with gold than the melting point of an eutectic of tin gold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 6648210
    Abstract: Tombstoning susceptibility and reflow peak temperature reduction of solder alloys, in particularly lead-free solder alloys, has been found to be achieved effectively by mixing the solder alloy in the form of an alloy paste with a low melting alloy utilised in powder form, in particular a Bi-containing alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Multicore Solders Limited
    Inventor: Hector Andrew Hamilton Steen
  • Patent number: 6649127
    Abstract: New and improved substantially lead-free solder compositions are provided exhibiting excellent wettability and mechanical properties. In an embodiment, an improved solder material is a substantially silver-free material including from about 0.5 to about 10% by weight of Zn, from about 0.5 to about 8% by weight of Bi, from about 0.005 to about 0.5% by weight of Ge, from about 0.3 to about 3% by weight of Cu and the balance to make 100% by weight of Sn. In another embodiment, an improved solder material includes from about 0.5 to 8% by weight of Bi, from about 0.5 to about 3% by weight of Ag, from about 0.01 to about 0.1% by weight of Ge, from about 0.3 to about 1% by weight of Cu, and the balance to make 100% by weight of Sn. In a further embodiment, an improved solder material includes from about 3 to about 15% by weight of Zn, from about 3 to about 10% by weight of In, from about 0.01 to about 0.3% by weight of Ge, from about 0.3 to about 3% by weight of Ag and the balance to make 100% by weight of Sn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Kazutaka Habu, Naoko Takeda
  • Publication number: 20030168333
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sputter target on a metal or metal alloy base with a melting point of not more than 750° C., especially tellurium alloy, with a microstructure of powder particles compacted by means of powder metallurgy, where the primary microstructure of the powder particles is very fine as compared with their size and where the particle size is clearly greater than the grain size of the primary microstructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Martin Schlott, Josef Heindel
  • Publication number: 20030143103
    Abstract: A die-bonding solder material according to the present invention is so arranged as to be an eutectic including tin and gold with such a substantial composition ratio as having the eutectic point with a more content of tin than the content that of gold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: TAKASHI MASUDA
  • Publication number: 20030143104
    Abstract: A solder alloy having a solderability comparable to that of a conventional Pb—Sn solder alloy without having a detrimental effect on the environment and a soldered bond using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Masayuki Kitajima, Tadaaki Shono, Masakazu Takesue, Yutaka Noda
  • Publication number: 20030133826
    Abstract: This invention discloses a lead-free Sn—Zn—Al—Ag solder alloy, which is composed of 7-10 wt % of Zn, up to 0.5 wt % of Al, up to 4.0 wt % of Ag, and the balance of Sn; and a lead-free Sn—Zn—Al—Ag—Ga solder alloy, which is composed of 7-10 wt % of Zn, up to 0.5 wt % of Al, up to 4.0 wt % of Ag, up to 4.0 wt % of Ga; and the balance of Sn. The lead-free solder alloys of the present invention have better tensile strength and elongation than the conventional Sn—Pb solder alloys. In addition, the lead-free solder alloys of the present invention have a melting point lower than 200° C., which is close to the 183.5° C. of an eutectic Sn—Pb alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Kwang-Lung LIN
    Inventors: Kwang-Lung Lin, Kang-I Chen, Shou-Chang Cheng, Jia-Wei Huang
  • Publication number: 20030095888
    Abstract: A lead-free solder alloy composition containing Sn, Ag and Bi, with respective concentrations set such that the lead-free solder alloy has a melting temperature lower than a predetermined heat-resistant temperature of a work to be soldered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masayuki Kitajima, Masakazu Takesue, Yasuo Moriya, Yoshinori Nemoto, Yumiko Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6548187
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a Sn-based alloy containing a finely dispersed Sn—Ti compound includes melting Sn by heating to a temperature in a range from 1300 to 1500° C. in vacuum or an inert gas atmosphere, adding 0.1 to 5% by weight of Ti followed by melting by heating, and casting the molten alloy into a copper mold directly or through a pouring cup. The Sn-based alloy obtained by this method contains the Sn—Ti compound having a maximum particle diameter of 30 &mgr;m and a mean particle diameter of 5 to 20 &mgr;m. A precursor of a Nb3Sn wire is also obtained by an inner diffusion method using this Sn-based alloy. The Nb3Sn wire manufactured by using the Sn-based alloy of the present invention exhibits excellent superconductive characteristics. The method of the present invention enables the ingot to be free from a shrinkage cavity appearing during prior art manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Nagai, Yoshio Kubo, Kunihiko Egawa, Osamu Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20030007885
    Abstract: Lead-free solder comprising Sn, Zn and 0.001 to 0.005 wt. % Ti. The lead-free solder does not contain toxic lead, and has sufficient bonding strength to oxide materials such as glass and ceramics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Shinjiro Domi, Koichi Sakaguchi, Shigeki Nakagaki, Katsuaki Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6503338
    Abstract: A lead-free solder alloy which has a relatively low melting temperature and which is suitable for soldering electronic devices consists essentially of from 5 to 9 mass % of Zn, from 2 to 15 mass % of Bi, optionally from 0.001 to 1 mass % of P or from 0.001 to 0.1 mass % of Ge, and a balance of Sn. The solder alloy has a liquidus temperature of at most 220° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Taguchi, Rikiya Katoh, Yoshitaka Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20020127136
    Abstract: A lead-free solder includes at least one selected from 0.01 to 1% by weight of Co, 0.01 to 0.2% by weight of Fe, 0.01 to 0.2% by weight of Mn, 0.01 to 0.2% by weight of Cr, and 0.01 to 2% by weight of Pd; 0.5 to 2% by weight of Cu; and 90.5% by weight or more of Sn. This solder exhibits a satisfactory solderability in solder joints and shows a high resistance to electrode leaching upon soldering or when the resulting soldered article is left at high temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekiyo Takaoka, Kiyotaka Maegawa
  • Publication number: 20020117539
    Abstract: A solder consists essentially of 1.0% to 4.0% of Ag by mass, 0.2% to 1.3% of Cu by mass, 0.02% to 0.06% of Co by mass, and the remaining of Sn and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihide Ito, Shiro Hara
  • Patent number: 6439124
    Abstract: There is provided a lead-free projectile suitable for use as a bullet to be fired from a pistol or rifle or as a slug to be fired from a shotgun. The projectile core is formed from a high purity tin and has deformation properties similar to that of lead based projectiles without the environmental hazards associated with lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Keith E. Enlow, Morris C. Buenemann, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020114726
    Abstract: Each of junctions formed between a semiconductor device and a substrate comprises metal balls of Cu, or other materials and compounds of Sn and the metal balls, and the metal balls are bonded together by the compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tasao Soga, Hanae Shimokawa, Tetsuya Nakatsuka, Kazuma Miura, Mikio Negishi, Hirokazu Nakajima, Tsuneo Endoh
  • Publication number: 20020051728
    Abstract: A solder ball having a diameter of 1.2 mm or less, a dispersion of a diameter distribution of 5% or less and sphericity of 0.95 or more, an area ratio of the maximum dendrite being 80% or less of a cross section including a center of the solder ball, comprises a first additional element of 0.5-8 mass% of Ag and/or 0.1-3 mass % of Cu, and 0.006-10 mass %, in total, of at least one second additional element selected from the group consisting of Bi, Ge, Ni, P, Mn, Au, Pd, Pt, S, In and Sb, the balance being substantially Sn. The solder ball is produced by a uniform droplet-spraying method comprising the steps of vibrating a melt of a solder alloy in a crucible under pressure to force the melt to drop through orifices of the crucible; permitting the melt dropping through the orifices to become spherical droplets in a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere; and rapidly solidifying them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Koji Sato, Takeshi Kuboi, Masayoshi Date
  • Patent number: 6371361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soldering alloy composed mainly of Sn and free from lead, a toxic substance. Adding a small quantity of Ag to the soldering alloy can make the alloy structure fine, minimize structural changes of the alloy and increase its thermal fatigue resistance. Adding a small quantity of Bi to the soldering alloy lowers the melting point and improves the alloy's wettability. Further, adding a small quantity of Cu restrains the growth of intermetallic compounds in the bonding interface between a copper land and the solder. Furthermore, addition of a small quantity of In improves the elongation property and thermal fatigue resistance of the alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamaguchi, Tetsuo Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6361626
    Abstract: A Pb-free solder alloy and a soldered bond using the same, in which the solder alloy has no harmful environmental effect but has a solderability comparable to that of the conventional Pb—Sn solder alloy. The solder alloy of the present invention either consists of Zn: 3.0-14.0 wt %, Al: 0.0020-0.0080 wt %, and the balance of Sn and unavoidable impurities or consists of Zn: 3.0-14.0 wt %, Bi: 3.0-6.0 wt %, Al: 0.0020-0.0100 wt %, and the balance of Sn and unavoidable impurities. The soldered bond of the present invention consists of either of the present inventive solder alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masayuki Kitajima, Hitoshi Homma, Masakazu Takesue, Tadaaki Shono, Yutaka Noda
  • Patent number: 6361742
    Abstract: A lead-free solder composition having superior mechanical strength is produced by adding a rare earth element to a Sn—Ag alloy or a Sn—Ag—Bi—Cu alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Naoko Takeda, Kazutaka Habu, Kazushi Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20020015659
    Abstract: Pb-free soldering alloy that does not include any amount of Pb is proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Nihon Almit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sawamura, Hisashi Komiya, Tsuguo Inazawa, Fujio Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20020009384
    Abstract: New and improved substantially lead-free solder compositions are provided exhibiting excellent wettability and mechanical properties. In an embodiment, an improved solder material is a substantially silver-free material including from about 0.5 to about 10% by weight of Zn, from about 0.5 to about 8% by weight of Bi, from about 0.005 to about 0.5% by weight of Ge, from about 0.3 to about 3% by weight of Cu and the balance to make 100% by weight of Sn. In another embodiment, an improved solder material includes from about 0.5 to 8% by weight of Bi, from about 0.5 to about 3% by weight of Ag, from about 0.01 to about 0.1% by weight of Ge, from about 0.3 to about 1% by weight of Cu, and the balance to make 100% by weight of Sn. In a further embodiment, an improved solder material includes from about 3 to about 15% by weight of Zn, from about 3 to about 10% by weight of In, from about 0.01 to about 0.3% by weight of Ge, from about 0.3 to about 3% by weight of Ag and the balance to make 100% by weight of Sn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Kazutaka Habu, Naoko Takeda
  • Publication number: 20010048888
    Abstract: Solder and a method of manufacturing the solder are disclosed wherein powdered free silver is added to a solder alloy with a particle size sufficient to preserve silver metallization during use and with a concentration sufficient to maximize the effectiveness and avoid adverse effects on solder reflow characteristics. Preferably, the particle size is in a range of approximately 5 &mgr;m to 20 &mgr;m and the powdered free silver is added in a concentration of approximately 5% to 10%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Rong-Fong Huang, Jian-Ku Shang, Ross A. Miesem
  • Patent number: 6319617
    Abstract: A solder composition that bonds well to oxides and other surfaces to which solder bonding is conventionally difficult is provided. The solder is particularly useful for reliable bonding and packaging of optical components that often have oxide surfaces. The solder composition exhibits a microstructure containing a solder matrix in which is distributed fine, micron-scale islands of rare-earth-containing intermetallic particles. The existence of the islands makes the rare earth elements better available for bonding, and reduce the extent to which the rare earths are oxidized. Advantageously, the solder contains Au and/or Ag, in which the rare earth elements tend to have some solid solubility. Due to this solubility, the Au and/or Ag tend to provide some additional protection of the rare earths against oxidation, and thereby also provide accelerated dissolution of the rare earth into the molten solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Agere Systems Gaurdian Corp.
    Inventors: Sungho Jin, Guenther Wilhelm Kammlott, Hareesh Mavoori, Ainissa G Ramirez
  • Patent number: 6319461
    Abstract: A lead-free solder alloy substantially contains Sn and Ti, and has a temperature of a liquidus line of not greater than 400° C. The lead-free solder alloy contains no toxic lead and has sufficient bonding strength to oxide materials such as glass and ceramics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinjiro Domi, Koichi Sakaguchi, Shigeki Nakagaki, Katsuaki Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6309760
    Abstract: A material for use as a bearing sliding surface and a bearing having the material are described, the material comprises tin and having therein from 1 to 5 wt % of a metal selected from the group comprising nickel, cobalt and iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: John Lyon, Fatima Rutherford
  • Patent number: 6306516
    Abstract: The invention provides an article comprising a solder that bonds well to oxides and other surfaces to which solder bonding is problematic. The solder composition contains one or more rare earth elements, which react with the oxide or other surface to promote bonding, and further contains sufficient Au and/or Ag to act as carriers for the rare earths. Because rare earths have some solid solubility in Au and Ag, the problem of intermetallic formation is lessened or eliminated, and improved bonding to oxide surfaces is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Agere Systems Guardian Corp.
    Inventors: Sungho Jin, Hareesh Mavoori, Ainissa G Ramirez
  • Patent number: 6231691
    Abstract: A Sn—Ag—Cu eutectic alloy is modified with one or more low level and low cost alloy additions to enhance high temperature microstructural stability and thermal-mechanical fatigue strength without decreasing solderability. Purposeful fourth or fifth element additions in the collective amount not exceeding about 1 weight % (wt. %) are added to Sn—Ag—Cu eutectic solder alloy based on the ternary eutectic Sn—4.7%Ag—1.7%Cu (wt. %) and are selected from the group consisting essentially of Ni, Fe, and like-acting elements as modifiers of the intermetallic interface between the solder and substrate to improve high temperature solder joint microstructural stability and solder joint thermal-mechanical fatigue strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Iver E. Anderson, Robert L. Terpstra
  • Patent number: 6220501
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of joining metallic members together. The metallic members are coated with an undercoat composed of an alloy of tin and zinc and contacted with each other through a mixture containing a solder comprising tin and zinc and a flux, while heating the metallic members to melt the solder. Then the molten solder is solidified to join the metallic members. Here, the ratio of zinc in the undercoat is represented by x (% by weight), the ratio of zinc in the solder is represented by y (% by weight), and the ratio, x, and the ratio, y, are values within an area enclosed by the line A or B in FIG. 1, which satisfies the formulas: 1≦x≦20, 3≦y≦13 and 3≦(x+y)/2≦13, or formulas: 0.1≦x≦25, 2≦y≦15 and 2≦(x+y)/2≦15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masahiro Tadauchi, Izuru Komatsu, Kouichi Teshima, Rikiya Katoh, Jun Sugimoto, Takayuki Suzuki, Mitsuyoshi Hirayama