Fatigue lives of thermally loaded solder joints are predicted using the finite element method. An appropriate constitutive relation to model the time-dependent inelastic deformation of the near-eutectic solder is implemented into a commercial finite element code, and the stress-strain responses of different electronic assemblies under the applied temperature cycles are calculated. The finite element analysis results are coupled with a newly developed approach for fatigue life predictions by using a volume-weighted averaging technique instead of an approach based on the maximum stress and strain locations in the solder joint. Volume-weighted average stress and strain results of three electronic assemblies are related to the corresponding experimental fatigue data through least-squares curve-fitting analyses for determination of the empirical coefficients of two fatigue life prediction criteria. The coefficients thus determined predict the mean cycles-to-failure value of the solder joints. Among the two prediction criteria, the strain range criterion uses the inelastic shear strain range and the total strain energy criterion uses the total inelastic strain energy calculated over a stabilized loading cycle. The obtained coefficients of the two fatigue criteria are applied to the finite element analysis results of two additional cases obtained from the literature. Good predictions are achieved using the total strain energy criterion, however, the strain range criterion underestimated the fatigue life. It is concluded that the strain information alone is not sufficient to model the fatigue behavior but a combination of stress and strain information is required, as in the case of total inelastic strain energy. The superiority of the volume-weighted averaging technique over the maximum stress and strain location approach is discussed.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
December 1997
Technical Papers
Fatigue Life Predictions for Thermally Loaded Solder Joints Using a Volume-Weighted Averaging Technique
H. U. Akay,
H. U. Akay
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Search for other works by this author on:
N. H. Paydar,
N. H. Paydar
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Search for other works by this author on:
A. Bilgic
A. Bilgic
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Search for other works by this author on:
H. U. Akay
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN 46202
N. H. Paydar
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN 46202
A. Bilgic
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN 46202
J. Electron. Packag. Dec 1997, 119(4): 228-235 (8 pages)
Published Online: December 1, 1997
Article history
Received:
March 8, 1996
Revised:
October 8, 1996
Online:
November 6, 2007
Citation
Akay, H. U., Paydar, N. H., and Bilgic, A. (December 1, 1997). "Fatigue Life Predictions for Thermally Loaded Solder Joints Using a Volume-Weighted Averaging Technique." ASME. J. Electron. Packag. December 1997; 119(4): 228–235. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2792241
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Anand Model Constants of Sn–Ag–Cu Solders: What Do They Actually Mean?
J. Electron. Packag (June 2025)
Sequential Versus Concurrent Effects in Combined Stress Solder Joint Reliability
J. Electron. Packag (June 2025)
Related Articles
A Global–Local Approach for Mechanical Deformation and Fatigue
Durability of Microelectronic Packaging Systems
J. Electron. Packag (June,2007)
A General Methodology to Predict Fatigue Life in Lead-Free Solder Alloy Interconnects
J. Electron. Packag (March,2009)
Isothermal Cyclic Bend Fatigue Test Method for Lead-Free Solder Joints
J. Electron. Packag (December,2007)
Low Cycle Fatigue Testing of Ball Grid Array Solder Joints under Mixed-Mode Loading Conditions
J. Electron. Packag (September,2005)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Understanding the Problem
Design and Application of the Worm Gear
Fatigue Analysis in the Connecting Rod of MF285 Tractor by Finite Element Method
International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering, 4th (ICACTE 2011)
Subsection NB—Class 1 Components
Companion Guide to the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Codes, Volume 1 Sixth Edition