Hi Chris,
In answer to a very similar question asked in the past Sir Günter wrote:
I wouldn't know a standard test method but I am somewhat critical about shear 
testing of solder joints because of the following points:
- The forces you measure depend very much on the speed of the deformation you 
apply. Maybe the folks I heard so far working with this test methods where 
not the best informed ones, but I never heard somebody mentioning this test 
parameter.
- The same applies to the thickness of the solder layer you are testing, 
since the stress necessary to induce a certain deformation speed depends on 
the strain rate which is the speed of deformation divided by the layer 
thickness. The thickness of this layer varies between 2 and 30um.
- The deformation speed also influences the evolution of damage in solder. 
This means, in my opinion, that you never now how big the load bearing area 
was at the moment of fracture.
- The point where the force is applied influences your result. You will for 
sure induce not pure shear stress but also tensile stress to varying extends, 
depending on where on the component the force is applied.
Because of these reasons, I believe, that shear testing of soldered joints of 
components only gives an extremely rough impression of the quality of a 
solder joint and is not a very suitable method to evaluate the quality of a 
solder production.

Werner Engelmaier
Engelmaier Associates, L.C.
Electronic Packaging, Interconnection and Reliability Consulting
7 Jasmine Run
Ormond Beach, FL  32174  USA
Phone: 386-437-8747, Fax: 386-437-8737
E-mail: [log in to unmask], Website: www.engelmaier.com 

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