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January 2010

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Subject:
From:
Joyce Koo <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>, Joyce Koo <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:59:25 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
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text/plain (184 lines)
Solder is less costly, agree.  But why the hasl board is more costly than a bare copper board with external copper thickness increase a bit? Strange. :-(  
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----- Original Message -----
From: TechNet <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Mon Jan 04 15:12:26 2010
Subject: Re: [TN] Thermally Conductive & Plated Via Fill

Bill,

 Compared to copper solder is a poor thermal conductors but it is not all
that bad. A quick check shows: (W/m-C)

  Soft Solder = 51

  Copper = 388

  CB-100 = 5

But a simple via hole can have a pretty big area.

Solder is a lot less expensive and conducts heat 10 time better then CB-100.

Filling vias with solder could be a big help in many applications.

Thanks,
Bob Kondner


  

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brooks, Bill
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 2:47 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Thermally Conductive & Plated Via Fill

Randy, 

There are some things that defy logic and reason... and are often done
without the proper science. I'm sure there are many reasons 'why'. I
won't try to guess at them. Do you remember soldermask over solder
plated finish for double sided boards and what that produced? A real
mess after the board was heated to solder the parts... but board
manufacturers did it anyway... because it was on the print... go
figure... 

Tin/lead solder is a poor conductor of heat compared to copper... So in
thermal applications we increase the thickness of the via barrel from
1oz to  2-3oz copper to get better thermal conductivity through the vias
to the back side of the board where we can put a thermal pad to the
chassis if needed. 

Some folks don't think beyond the transfer of heat to the board... and
forget to make a path for that heat to the ambient air... which is a
mistake they will discover later when they test the unit over temp. Just
pumping heat into the board is not always a complete solution. Depending
upon thermal transfer thru solder filled vias doesn't make sense either.

Solder filling of exposed thermal vias that are in large 'belly pad'
designs is really unavoidable at assembly but not a significant or
useful part of the equation for thermal transfer... 

The cross sectional area of that copper is modeled for thermal
applications. The more copper the better for conductivity. We use very
small diameter via thru holes and allow them to plate shut if possible.
Whatever solder gets into them is incidental not intentional. Solid
copper plating thru the board would be the best condition... but it
costs more. So far we have not had any problems with this current design
concept The small diameter vias tend to rob less solder from the belly
pad producing a partially filled via due to the capillary action of the
solder... we typically use solder with lead in it... lead free solder
may not wick into the holes quite so easily as it has a different
surface tension. 

The idea of 'plugging vias with solder' as a pre-assembly step seems
unwise to me too for the logical reasons you have already presented.   

I will be curious to hear any arguments to the contrary... 

Best regards,

Bill Brooks | Datron World Communications, Inc.
PCB Designer/Engineer | Office: 760-602-7004| Fax: 760-597-3777 |
[log in to unmask]
1808 Aston Avenue, Suite 230, Carlsbad, CA 92008 | www.dtwc.com

Performance You Require. Value You ExpectTM

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Randy
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 7:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Thermally Conductive & Plated Via Fill

Can someone please help me break my paradigm with "filling vias in 
process with solder"?  I have difficulty seeing how this works.  How do 
you ensure consistent, predictable solder fill in thermal vias during 
assembly?  If inconsistent, then you really can't count on it to be
there 
since any time it's not there you'll pay for it.

If by some chance you can get solder to fill all vias completely, then 
how do you avoid solder flowing out the opposite end of the vias?  
Protruding solder "bumps" can interfere with solder paste printing if 
bottom (second) side assembly is required.  These solder "bumps" can 
also interfere with heat sinking if intimate contact is required in this

area for heat dissipation.

Regards,
Randy


On Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:28:35 -0800, Dwight Mattix 
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Practically speaking, using "thermal conductive" and "CB100" in the
>same sentence is an oxymoron.
>
>
>Cu ~= 300 w/mK
>Solder, Ormet, et al ~= 25 w/mk
>CB100 ~=3 w/mK
>
>Small amount more annular copper, filling with Ormet paste (not a
>cheaper option though) or filling via in process with solder yields
>much greater increase in thermal conductivity than CB100.
>
>At 11:55 AM 12/29/2009, Joe Lara wrote:
>>Hello TechNetter's,
>>
>>Im currently using Du Ponts "CB-100" Conductive Paste to vill Vias
>>at $400 per 100G. Is
>>there a more affordable way of filling vias that call out to be
>>filled (thermal conductive) and
>>plated?
>>
>>
>>Best Regards,
>>
>>Joe
>>

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