Reflow solder flux residue and humidity interaction: investigation using real PCBA component designs

Abstract This paper investigates the climatic reliability of realistic PCBA component geometries soldered using reflow process, from the perspective of the interaction between component design parameters, reflow residue and humidity. The study was carried out using electrochemical characterization,...

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Main Authors: Anish Rao Lakkaraju, Helene Conseil-Gudla, Mike Bixenman, Rajan Ambat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05969-z
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author Anish Rao Lakkaraju
Helene Conseil-Gudla
Mike Bixenman
Rajan Ambat
author_facet Anish Rao Lakkaraju
Helene Conseil-Gudla
Mike Bixenman
Rajan Ambat
author_sort Anish Rao Lakkaraju
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This paper investigates the climatic reliability of realistic PCBA component geometries soldered using reflow process, from the perspective of the interaction between component design parameters, reflow residue and humidity. The study was carried out using electrochemical characterization, electron microscopy, and X-ray imaging. Custom-designed PCBA test cards with dummy components have been exposed to harsh climate after reflow soldering. A methodology of combining Leakage current and electrochemical impedance measurements has been used to characterize PCBA performance. Changes in flux morphology and any associated negative effects as a function of humidity interaction have been connected to component connector design parameters, to achieve a holistic understanding of flux system-component suitability and humidity interaction.
format Article
id doaj-art-cdec3423d72648aab0b53e6987df1821
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-cdec3423d72648aab0b53e6987df18212025-08-20T03:38:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-05969-zReflow solder flux residue and humidity interaction: investigation using real PCBA component designsAnish Rao Lakkaraju0Helene Conseil-Gudla1Mike Bixenman2Rajan Ambat3Center for Electronics Corrosion (CELCORR), Technical University of DenmarkCenter for Electronics Corrosion (CELCORR), Technical University of DenmarkMagnalytix IncCenter for Electronics Corrosion (CELCORR), Technical University of DenmarkAbstract This paper investigates the climatic reliability of realistic PCBA component geometries soldered using reflow process, from the perspective of the interaction between component design parameters, reflow residue and humidity. The study was carried out using electrochemical characterization, electron microscopy, and X-ray imaging. Custom-designed PCBA test cards with dummy components have been exposed to harsh climate after reflow soldering. A methodology of combining Leakage current and electrochemical impedance measurements has been used to characterize PCBA performance. Changes in flux morphology and any associated negative effects as a function of humidity interaction have been connected to component connector design parameters, to achieve a holistic understanding of flux system-component suitability and humidity interaction.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05969-zCapacitorsClimatic reliabilityComponentsContaminationFluxPrinted circuit board assembly (PCBA)
spellingShingle Anish Rao Lakkaraju
Helene Conseil-Gudla
Mike Bixenman
Rajan Ambat
Reflow solder flux residue and humidity interaction: investigation using real PCBA component designs
Scientific Reports
Capacitors
Climatic reliability
Components
Contamination
Flux
Printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)
title Reflow solder flux residue and humidity interaction: investigation using real PCBA component designs
title_full Reflow solder flux residue and humidity interaction: investigation using real PCBA component designs
title_fullStr Reflow solder flux residue and humidity interaction: investigation using real PCBA component designs
title_full_unstemmed Reflow solder flux residue and humidity interaction: investigation using real PCBA component designs
title_short Reflow solder flux residue and humidity interaction: investigation using real PCBA component designs
title_sort reflow solder flux residue and humidity interaction investigation using real pcba component designs
topic Capacitors
Climatic reliability
Components
Contamination
Flux
Printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05969-z
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AT mikebixenman reflowsolderfluxresidueandhumidityinteractioninvestigationusingrealpcbacomponentdesigns
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