Hi Graham Currently I have to assess the reliability of small potted assemblies. Some of this units failed after temp cycles The potting mass is IR401-A/B of a far-east company. As immeadetly action the mix ratio of this potting mass has been changed to lower the cure (at room tem.) from 90 Shore A to 45 Shore A. I'm not sure this is enough . So I intend to qulify such units by * Design consideration, this means by a simple mechanical model to estimate the ocuring stress on SMT-solder joints as well to brittle components as glass diodes and "filigrane" E/I-ferite cores. * Qualification test besed on thermal cycling. For potted SMT-assemblies there are some effects in addition to the considered in IPC-SM-785. All considerations about CTE are also applicable to any potting mass. To determine the stress on a solder joint (or glass diode or E/I-ferrite core) beside the CTE also the mechanical modulus of elasticity has to be considered. As lower the temperature, as more increases the mechanical modulus of elasticity as more increases the mechanical stress. This means for potted units a qualification test should cover thermal cycling reaching into deep temperatures. Because the trend of IPC-SM-785 to perform thermal cycling test in a temp range +25°C...+100°C or 0°C...100°C (hi-rel appl.) and to avoid of deep temperatures (-25°C or -40°C) I'm not sure how significante would be such a thermal cycling reaching into deep temperatures. Also it is not easy to determine "the" temperatures in application, because application covers in house ambient as well as free exposure in a shell (different clima regions) as well (sometimes) automotive. Because the mix ratio (most in-house, sometimes free exp./automotive) I don't intend to apply the hardest occuring parameters for such a qualification test. I would be pleased if you could recommend cycling parameters, mechanical considerations or models, and (softer) potting masses. Bernhard Wanner ---------- Von: Graham Naisbitt[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Gesendet: Freitag, 2. Juli 1999 18:43 An: [log in to unmask] Ok Ok Bernhard, Then lets go back to the beginning. What are you trying to protect and from what? Maybe you can use a Conformal coating, back fill with silica sand and top off the result with a thin potting material. Last saw this in Ford Lansdale in 1979. Horses for courses. Give me a response with what your problem is and we'll go forward from there - is that a lively discussion basis? Regards, Graham Naisbitt [log in to unmask] WEB: http://www.concoat.co.uk Concoat Ltd Alasan House, Albany Park CAMBERLEY GU15 2PL UK Tel: +44 (0) 1276 691100 Fax: +44 (0) 1276 691227 ----- Original Message ----- From: Wanner Bernhard <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, July 02, 1999 7:32 AM Subject: [TN] WG: [TN] Embedment, potting - reliability, thermal cycling > Hi Werner and other interested technetters, > > Thanks for your responses. The products in question are small > modules, potted with a two-component epoxide resin. Such resins are much > harder than most silicones (rtv etc.). Worldwide there are tons and megatons > of small devices, often small DC/DC-converters, which are potted with (more > or less) a hard potting compound. Apparently there is no worldwide epidemic > of failures because of cracks. > > I am personally convinced that a rigrid potting mass kills (SMT-) > system reliability. I estimate that there are many cracked solder joints > which don't provoke an electrical failure, because often cracked solder > joints make contact most of the time like a touch-button. Come on potting > and lacquering (and MIL) guys honestly, am I the only one with this opinion? > > To qualify a potted SMT-assembly I need to define an effective test. > Because the mechanical modulus of elasticity will increase dramatically at > low temperatures (-25°C...-40°C), simply cycles at low temperature would > provoke the failure mechanism occuring under real conditions. And this would > exactly the opposite to use the acceleration factors described in IPC-D-279. > > > Can anyone describe to me used/effective thermal cycling parameters > for potted SMT-assemblies? > > I hope this mail promotes a lively discussion of this subject. > Bernhard > > > ---------- > Von: Werner Engelmaier[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Gesendet: Freitag, 25. Juni 1999 02:15 > An: [log in to unmask] > Betreff: Re: [TN] Embedment, potting > > Hi Bernhard, > To my knowledge, an I am the chair of the IPC Reliability > Committee, there is > no document that addresses the reliability of > embedded/potted electronics, > either THT or SMT. Certainly, the recommendations made in > IPC-SM-785 for > accelerated testing are useful in your situation; you just > will not be able > to use the acceleration factors. > The possible problems posed by potting compounds have to do > with their CTE, > their cure temperature [which sets the initial stress > conditions (you want > compressive on the solder joints and a cure temperature > higher than the > highest operating temperature)], and the operational > temperature excursions > (severity and number). These parameters will determine what > accelerated test > conditions should be used and if there is an acceleration > factor that can be > applied. > > Werner Engelmaier > Engelmaier Associates, L.C. > Electronic Packaging, Interconnection and Reliability > Consulting > 7 Jasmine Run > Ormond Beach, FL 32174 USA > Phone: 904-437-8747, Fax: 904-437-8737 > E-mail: [log in to unmask], Website: www.engelmaier.com > > > > ---------- > Von: Wanner Bernhard > Gesendet: Donnerstag, 24. Juni 1999 16:27 > An: [log in to unmask] > Betreff: Embedment, potting > > Hi Technetters > > I have to consider and to take decision about the > reliability of embeded (potted) assembled PCB's (THT and SMT). To evaluate > the solder joint (and componenet) reliability I intend to perform thermal > cycles (no load). IPC-SM-785 defines such cycling tests, but it seems > Conformal Coating has been only with secondary importance and Embeding > /Potting is not mentioned. > > Can anyone tell me if there is an IPC or other > document handling the reliability of embedded/potted electronics (especially > after thermal cycling/lifetime)? > > At the good old MIL-world the Requirement 47 of > MIL-STD-454K (a old version, I know) adresses some MIL-Std's (MIL-I-16923, > MIL-M-24041, MIL-I-81550 etc.) for this purpose. Now I'm looking after > equivalentes at the IPC-world (or J-STD) > > Bernhard > [log in to unmask] > > > >