Sintered metal alloy and composite as bonding materials for electronics applications

Sintered silver (Ag) offers excellent thermal and mechanical properties for high-temperature electronic packaging but faces adoption barriers due to high cost and electrochemical migration. Sintered copper (Cu), a cheaper alternative, is limited by its oxidation susceptibility. To overcome these iss...

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Main Authors: W.J. Wang, Anuttam Patra, Ling Xin Yong, Xu Long, Qiang Jia, Lu Shen, K.S. Siow
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425020320
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author W.J. Wang
Anuttam Patra
Ling Xin Yong
Xu Long
Qiang Jia
Lu Shen
K.S. Siow
author_facet W.J. Wang
Anuttam Patra
Ling Xin Yong
Xu Long
Qiang Jia
Lu Shen
K.S. Siow
author_sort W.J. Wang
collection DOAJ
description Sintered silver (Ag) offers excellent thermal and mechanical properties for high-temperature electronic packaging but faces adoption barriers due to high cost and electrochemical migration. Sintered copper (Cu), a cheaper alternative, is limited by its oxidation susceptibility. To overcome these issues, recent research explores the combination of Ag- and Cu-based sintering to leverage the benefits of both metals. The technology can be further enhanced with functional additives, sometimes combined with intermetallic-based transient liquid phase sintering strategies. This review critically examines their synthesis methods, mechanical performance, and processing challenges, with a particular focus on key properties such as shear strength, thermal conductivity, and electrical resistivity. The benefits of Ag–Cu based sintered joints, especially their superior thermal performance and mechanical robustness, are highlighted. Additionally, combining Ag and Cu in sinter pastes enhances oxidation resistance through the thermal stability of Ag and improves structural reliability by leveraging mechanical strength and cost-effectiveness of Cu. Ultimately, this review provides insights into the potential of sintered Ag–Cu metal interconnect as high-performance and lead-free bonding materials.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2238-7854
language English
publishDate 2025-09-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Journal of Materials Research and Technology
spelling doaj-art-4d24442c2a2044d696ce7f4af65897702025-08-22T04:56:45ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-09-01382766278110.1016/j.jmrt.2025.08.079Sintered metal alloy and composite as bonding materials for electronics applicationsW.J. Wang0Anuttam Patra1Ling Xin Yong2Xu Long3Qiang Jia4Lu Shen5K.S. Siow6Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, MalaysiaChemistry of Interfaces Group, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, 97187, Sweden; Corresponding author.School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798School of Mechanics and Transportation Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, ChinaProfessional Officers Division, Singapore Institute of Technology, 1 Punggol Coast Road, 828608 SingaporeInstitute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Corresponding author.Sintered silver (Ag) offers excellent thermal and mechanical properties for high-temperature electronic packaging but faces adoption barriers due to high cost and electrochemical migration. Sintered copper (Cu), a cheaper alternative, is limited by its oxidation susceptibility. To overcome these issues, recent research explores the combination of Ag- and Cu-based sintering to leverage the benefits of both metals. The technology can be further enhanced with functional additives, sometimes combined with intermetallic-based transient liquid phase sintering strategies. This review critically examines their synthesis methods, mechanical performance, and processing challenges, with a particular focus on key properties such as shear strength, thermal conductivity, and electrical resistivity. The benefits of Ag–Cu based sintered joints, especially their superior thermal performance and mechanical robustness, are highlighted. Additionally, combining Ag and Cu in sinter pastes enhances oxidation resistance through the thermal stability of Ag and improves structural reliability by leveraging mechanical strength and cost-effectiveness of Cu. Ultimately, this review provides insights into the potential of sintered Ag–Cu metal interconnect as high-performance and lead-free bonding materials.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425020320Electrochemical migrationBonding materialsSintered silverSintered copper
spellingShingle W.J. Wang
Anuttam Patra
Ling Xin Yong
Xu Long
Qiang Jia
Lu Shen
K.S. Siow
Sintered metal alloy and composite as bonding materials for electronics applications
Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Electrochemical migration
Bonding materials
Sintered silver
Sintered copper
title Sintered metal alloy and composite as bonding materials for electronics applications
title_full Sintered metal alloy and composite as bonding materials for electronics applications
title_fullStr Sintered metal alloy and composite as bonding materials for electronics applications
title_full_unstemmed Sintered metal alloy and composite as bonding materials for electronics applications
title_short Sintered metal alloy and composite as bonding materials for electronics applications
title_sort sintered metal alloy and composite as bonding materials for electronics applications
topic Electrochemical migration
Bonding materials
Sintered silver
Sintered copper
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785425020320
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