Reflow BGA is a new technique that uses a high-temperature alloy to form ceramic or plastic components. The process allows for higher yields and reduces component warpage. But when done improperly, it can lead to component warpage and poor yields. Here are the steps to ensure proper reflow BGA. Read on to learn more.
Plastic BGA
One common cause of non-wet opens in reflow BGA soldering is warpage. When the solder paste wets the ball, it forms a wet bond and solidifies before the warpage relaxes. Fortunately, lower-temperature alloys help reduce the possibility of component warpage, creating higher yields. Here are some tips to prevent warpage in plastic reflow BGA soldering.
Before using BGA soldering, take the necessary steps to ensure proper alignment. BGAs are very sensitive and require accurate alignment during the solder reflow process. You must remember to bring the solder paste to room temperature and ramp up the profile slowly so as not to cause any unwanted effects. You should monitor the process regularly to minimize temperature gradients. Then, ensure that all solder paste components are level.
Reflow BGA soldering equipment is essential for precision BGA placement. In addition, it is necessary to ensure proper alignment, as the solder joint of a BGA has a unique self-centering feature. Therefore, reflow BGA soldering equipment should be able to place a BGA package with an accuracy of +/-0.1mm. Moreover, it is essential to note that higher accuracy systems are usually more expensive and time-consuming.
The size of the PCB pad is also a critical parameter for solder paste printing. Ample space is necessary around the BGA package. The spacing around the BGA connection must be 0.125-in. Similarly, the placement of heavy parts is essential to ensure that they do not cause board displacement near the BGA connection. You should consider these considerations in selecting the suitable stencil for the plastic reflow BGA process.
Advantages of Plastic BGA
Compared to other package technologies, BGA offers several advantages. The use of solder balls minimizes pad-to-pad impedance while increasing IO connections. The placement of BGA components minimizes thermal impedance. Additionally, the small solder balls can create electrical shorts between contacts, which increases the cost of manufacturing reflow BGA products. Further, it can be helpful in reflow BGA packaging.
This process is also called a plastic ball grid array. Initially invented by Motorola, PBGA is a surface-mount device package based on laminate-based plastic. The package is molded over the chip carrier and includes a solder ball attached to the package. It has the lowest electrical resistance of all semiconductor packages and offers higher density than Leadframe packaging. Advanced simulation and design capabilities of Rayming PCB & Assembly make it possible to optimize the package for the best electrical performance.
While an x-ray is a valid inspection method, it is not enough to ensure that the solder joints are perfect. This is because the solder joints of BGA are beneath the body, and a visual inspection of the solder joints can only reveal the edges of solder balls and bridging. Other methods, such as cross-section and transmitted inspection, can help detect bridging between solder joints and misalignment.
This technology can improve the electrical performance of ICs. The process reduces the need for additional connections between the IC and the PCB. It also saves manufacturing costs. And last, because it consists of a single layer of plastic, it is very convenient for reflow-reflow-battery packaging. Consider switching to this technique if you’re looking for a more cost-effective plastic reflow BGA alternative.
Ceramic BGA
Reflowing BGA components can improve your solder joints’ yields and pass rates. However, there are some common reasons why BGA joints may fail to form during reflow: inadequate solder paste on the PCB or a missing or deformed ball on the component. Before reflowing, check the thickness of the solder paste on the PCB by using off-line measurement systems. If any of the solder paste layers have been missed or melted down, this may cause the component to warp during the reflow process.
The thickness of the packaging material affects the heat-spreader and thermal dissipation of the components. Therefore, you should store the thin laminate BGAs in a moisture-proof Moisture Barrier Bag. The thermal reliability of BGA packages depends on the composition of the mold compound and the termination array pattern. Thin laminate BGAs can improve their fatigue life and thermal reliability by adding a depopulation layer underneath the silicon die.
A typical Ceramic BGA package uses 0.8mm and 1.0mm ball pitch values. mCBGA uses a 0.4mm ball pitch. Different BGA designs use a full grid array, a perimeter array, or a staggered arrangement. The body size of Ceramic BGAs ranges from four to 35mm square. Therefore, a reflow BGA requires less solder paste than a QFP.
The BGA package has a dense contact spacing that enables significant board size reduction. Because BGAs are dense, large traces will enhance the PCB production cost and yield. However, the traces must be sufficiently separated, with the dielectric separation ideally being 0.004″. In many cases, a 0.004 dielectric separation will be sufficient. This is a significant advantage when reflowing BGAs.
Reflowing devices using ceramic reflow machines ensure precision and high-quality soldiers. In addition, its dark infrared heat source is an efficient way to control temperature, minimizing the lateral temperature difference.
Advantages of ceramic BGA
Moreover, the ceramic reflow BGA process has several advantages over QFN packages. First, this process reduces the number of reflow cycles while increasing the yields of your solder joint. The reflow oven can help to manufacture your BGAs. Using a high-quality ceramic reflow oven helps reduce your costs and improve your reliability. Finally, this method is very effective for volume production, as it requires less solder paste and lowers rework.
Reballing a ceramic package is another important quality factor. A high-temperature ceramic package is durable and reliable. It can last longer. If you are considering ceramic reflow BGA, Precision PCB Services offers excellent reballing services for your CBGA packages. We can also help you design and manufacture ceramic BGA packages. It is a good idea to seek a certified CBGA supplier.
Reflow BGA packages are reliable when assembled correctly. Reliability increases with improved thermal expansion. If you are using this method in production, use the appropriate temperature ranges. Higher temperatures raise the resistance of the solder joints. You can also increase the pin count of ceramic packages with Column interconnects. Then, you can increase your yields by reflowing more BGAs with ceramic reflow.
Best reflow-reballed components are placed into moisture-resistant and ESD-protective barrier bags and marked with critical information. In addition, we use JEDEC and JSTD guidelines to ensure that your components are safe to handle and maintain. This documentation also reflects our process for controlling the risk of MSD (magnetic synchrotron radiation).
You must control the heat generated during the reflow process to avoid damage to the BGA and other components. Improper thermal profiles may lead to the failure of rework and BGA rework. Also, poor thermal profiles can damage the BGA and other components nearby.
