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Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Silver Migration Inhibitor
2000
Our company makes small beryllium oxide chip resistors with silver electrodes (applied as a silver paste then fired to fuse them to the BeO). We've encountered a problem with silver migration/dendrite growth causing short circuits. Silver was chosen for solderability and low cost. Materials such as platinum-gold would solve the problem, but at a significant cost increase. A lower cost solution might be to apply a barrier coat of nickel over the silver to prevent the migration then apply a solder plate for solderability. Does this sound reasonable? If so, what would be a good nickel thickness? Any recommendations or comments would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
George
George Flanagan- Smithtown, New York
It is possible to nickel plate BeO directly without silver paste and firing. For soldering purpose, you need only a couple of micron layer depending on the type of solder. Call us if you need help.
Mandar Sunthankar- Fort Collins, Colorado
2000
Hey George,
The whisker, migration growth of some metal is thought to be stress related. The cure in most cases is to alloy the metal with a metal that stops the whisker growth. The right metal alloyed with the silver in the paste should be the ticket. Check with your supplier.
Regards,
Fred Mueller, CEF- Royersford, Pennsylvania
2000
Hi, George! YES, the method of applying Ni as a barrier coat is usual on Ag electrodes on ceramics. Just see the data books of various SMD (surface mount devices) companies in the electronic parts buiz. They usually add a third layer of Sn for best solderability...
Lois KleeweinGraz. Univ. of Tech'y - Graz, Austria
2000
You may be able to get away with 10 millionths or it may take 50 millionths. As a barrier between Al and Tin we use 50 and it works fine. For Au over Cu or Brass we've used 10 with good success.
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Jim Conner
Anoplex Software
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Mabank, Texas USA
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2000
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