| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R04157/01 |
| Title: |
Surface Coatings To Enable Fluxless Soldering For Environmentally Friendly Electronics Manufacture |
| Principal Investigator: |
Hutt, Dr DA |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Manufacturing Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Loughborough University |
| Scheme: |
Fast Stream |
| Starts: |
01 February 2001 |
Ends: |
31 July 2002 |
Value (£): |
62,558
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Electronics |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Within the electronics industry, solder interconnection forms the cornerstone of the printed circuit board (PCB) assembly process. This process uses fluxes based on organic and inorganic acids to remove oxide layers from the surfaces of the materials to be joined. While the flux is currently an essential part of the soldering technology, its removal from the process is highly desirable for environmental and economical reasons. The flux residues left behind on the PCB after soldering are corrosive and contaminated with heavy metal ions which must be removed, leading to disposal issues for contaminated liquids.The aim of this research programme is to investigate the use of surface coatings to prevent the re-oxidation of oxide free metal surfaces, allowing them to mbe soldered without flux. The research will utilise the class of surface coatings called self assembly monolayers which have the key property that they are able to protect the underlying metal from oxidation during storage, but can be removed by heating to reveal the clean surface that can be thoroughly wet by molten solder. The compatibility of this technology to a high volume-manufacturing environment will be evaluated, together with its application to the assembly of flip chip and optoelectric devices.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.lboro.ac.uk |