TechNetters,

 

Can someone interpret this sentence for me?  

"As Sn is anisotropic, the size and orientation of the grain structure
contributes to CTE mismatch fractures along the larger axis of a solder
joint, laterally rather than vertically."

 

I know the following:

1.	Sn is anisotropic
2.	the size and orientation of the grain structure contributes to CTE
mismatch fractures

Is the latter part (.along the larger axis of a solder joint, laterally
rather than vertically.) always true and if so, why?  What am I missing?

 

Regards,

Bev