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com

ECSS-Q-70-38A
26 October 2007

EUROPEAN COOPERATION

ECSS
FOR SPACE STANDARDIZATION

Space product
assurance

High-reliability soldering for

surface-mount and mixed technology

ECSS Secretariat
ESA-ESTEC
Requirements & Standards Division
Noordwijk, The Netherlands
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ECSS--Q--70--38A
26 October 2007 ECSS

Published by: ESA Requirements and Standards Division

ESTEC, P.O. Box 299,
2200 AG Noordwijk,
The Netherlands
ISSN: 1028-396X
Price: € 30
Printed in: The Netherlands
Copyright: E2007 by the European Space Agency for the members of ECSS

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ECSS
ECSS--Q--70--38A
26 October 2007

Foreword

This Standard is one of the series of ECSS Standards intended to be applied

together for the management, engineering and product assurance in space
projects and applications. ECSS is a cooperative effort of the European Space
Agency, national space agencies and European industry associations for the
purpose of developing and maintaining common standards.
Requirements in this Standard are defined in terms of what shall be accomplished,
rather than in terms of how to organize and perform the necessary work. This
allows existing organizational structures and methods to be applied where they
are effective, and for the structures and methods to evolve as necessary without
rewriting the standards.
The formulation of this Standard takes into account the existing ISO 9000 family
of documents.
This Standard has been prepared by the ECSS--Q--70--38 Working Group,
reviewed by the former ECSS Product Assurance Panel and the ECSS Executive
Secretriat and approved by the ECSS Technical Authority.

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ECSS--Q--70--38A
26 October 2007 ECSS

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ECSS
ECSS--Q--70--38A
26 October 2007

Introduction

This Standard prescribes requirements for electrical connections of leadless and

leaded surface mounted devices (SMD) on spacecraft and associated equipment,
utilising a range of substrate assemblies and employing solder as the interconnec-
tion media. The principal types of SMDs can be gathered in the following families:

Rectangular and square end-capped or end-me-

tallized device with rectangular body
e.g. end capped chip resistors and end capped chip
capacitors.
Bottom terminated chip device
This type of device has metallised terminations on
the bottom side only.

Cylindrical or square end-- capped devices with

cylindrical body
e.g. MELF.
Castellated chip carrier device
The main component of this type is leadless ceramic
chip carrier (LCCC).

Device with round, flattened, ribbon “L” and

gull-wing leads
e.g. small-outline transistor (SOT), small--outline
package (SO), flat pack and quad flat pack (QFP).
This family also comprises devices for through-hole
mounting that have been reconfigured to surface
mounting.
“J” leaded device
e.g. ceramic leaded chip carriers (CLCC) and plastic
leaded chip carriers (PLCC).

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ECSS--Q--70--38A
26 October 2007 ECSS
Area array devices
These devices are leadless (no leads). The intercon-
nections between solder pads on the devices and
solder pads on the PCB consist entirely of solder.
The devices have either solder balls (Ball Grid
Array – BGA) or solder columns (Column Grid
Array – CGA) applied to the solder pads on the
devices prior to mounting on a PCB (normally done
by the device manufacturer). The solder balls on the
BGAs can consist of either eutectic solder or high
temperature solder (5 % – 10 % Sn) whereas the
solder columns on the CGAs always consist of high
temperature solder. Although BGAs are usually
presented as a device family, there exist a large
number of BGA devices with wide-ranging prop-
erties. The vast majority of BGA devices are non-
hermetic.
Device with Inward formed L-- shaped leads
e.g. moulded tantalum chip capacitors.

Device with flat lug leads

This package has flat leads extending from the
sides.

Leaded device with thermal plane termination

e.g. Diode PAcKage (DPAK).

Leadless device with thermal plane termination

This SMD package consists of three terminal pads,
ceramic housing, and lid brazed together to form a
hermetic semiconductor die carrier.

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ECSS
ECSS--Q--70--38A
26 October 2007

Contents

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2 Normative references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

3.1 Terms and definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.2 Abbreviated terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

4 Principles of reliable soldered connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

5 Process identification document (PID) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

5.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.2 Production control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5.3 Process identification document updating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

6 Preparatory conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.1 Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.2 Facility cleanliness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.3 Environmental conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.4 Precautions against static charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.5 Lighting requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.6 Equipment and tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.7 Soldering machines and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.8 Ancillary equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

7 Material selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.2 Solder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

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26 October 2007 ECSS
7.3 Flux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.4 Solvents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.5 Flexible insulation materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.6 Terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.7 Wires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.8 Printed circuit substrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.9 Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7.10 Adhesives (staking compounds and heat sinking), encapsulants and
conformal coatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

8 Preparation for soldering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

8.1 Preparation of devices and terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
8.2 Preparation of solder bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
8.3 Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
8.4 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
8.5 Baking of PCBs and moisture sensitive components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

9 Mounting of devices prior to soldering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

9.1 General requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
9.2 Lead bending and cutting requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
9.3 Mounting of terminals to PCBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
9.4 Lead attachment to through holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
9.5 Mounting of components to terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
9.6 Mounting of connectors to PCBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
9.7 Surface mount requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

10 Attachment of conductors to terminals, solder cups and cables . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

11 Soldering to terminals and printed circuit boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

11.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
11.2 Solder application to terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
11.3 Solder applications to PCBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
11.4 Wicking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
11.5 Soldering of SMDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
11.6 Tall profile devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
11.7 Staking of solder assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
11.8 Underfill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

12 Cleaning of PCB assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

12.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
12.2 Ultrasonic cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
12.3 Monitoring for cleanliness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

13 Final inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
13.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
13.2 Acceptance criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
13.3 Visual rejection criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
13.4 X-ray rejection criteria for area array devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
13.5 Warp and twist of populated boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
13.6 Inspection records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

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14 Verification procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
14.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
14.2 Verification by similarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
14.3 Verification test programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
14.4 Electrical testing of passive components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
14.5 Vibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
14.6 Temperature cycling test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
14.7 Microsection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
14.8 Dye penetrant test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
14.9 Special verification testing for conformally coated area array packages . . 60
14.10 Failures after verification testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
14.11 Approval of verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
14.12 Withdrawal of approval status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

15 Quality assurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
15.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
15.2 Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
15.3 Nonconformance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
15.4 Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
15.5 Traceability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
15.6 Workmanship standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
15.7 Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
15.8 Operator and inspector training and certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
15.9 Quality records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

16 Visual and X-ray workmanship standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

16.1 Workmanship illustrations for standard SMDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
16.2 Workmanship illustrations for ball grid array devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
16.3 Workmanship illustrations for column grid array devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
16.4 Microsection examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
16.5 Accept and reject criteria after environmental testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Annex A (informative) Verification approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

A.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
A.2 Methodology of approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Annex B (informative) Examples of SMT summary tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Annex C (informative) Soldering of area array devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

C.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
C.2 Solder joint requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
C.3 Removal and replacement of area array devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
C.4 Inspection techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
C.5 Verification testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
C.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Annex D (informative) Example of an SMT audit report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Annex E (informative) Additional information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

E.1 X-Ray inspection equipment (to 6.8.7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
E.2 Melting temperatures and choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

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Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Figures

Figure 1: Exposed element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Figure 2: Mounting of rectangular and square end-capped and end-metallized
devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Figure 3: Mounting of bottom terminated chip devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Figure 4: Mounting of cylindrical end-capped devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Figure 5: Mounting of castellated chip carrier devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Figure 6: Mounting of devices with round, flattened, ribbon, “L” and gull-wing leads . . . 47
Figure 7: Mounting of devices with “J” leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Figure 8: Typical plastic ball grid array (PBGA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Figure 9: Typical ceramic area array showing ball grid array configuration on left and
column grid array on right (CBGA & CCGA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Figure 10: Typical assembled CCGA device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Figure 11: Dimensions of tall profile components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Figure 12: Verification programme flow chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Figure 13: Illustrations defining critical zone in solder fillet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Figure 14: Preferred solder (see also Table 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Figure 15: Acceptable, maximum solder (see also Table 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Figure 16: Unacceptable, poor wetting (see also Table 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Figure 17: Unacceptable - Less than 75 % wetting of terminal edges (see also Table 3) . 67
Figure 18: Acceptable, minimum solder - Terminal wetted along end, face and sides
(see also Table 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Figure 19: Preferred solder (see also Table 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Figure 20: Unacceptable - Excessive solder (see also Table 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Figure 21: Unacceptable - Insufficient solder (see also Table 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Figure 22: Example of flattened leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Figure 23: Unacceptable - Excessive solder (middle joint) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Figure 24: Examples of unacceptable soldering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Figure 25: Angled-transmission X-radiograph showing solder paste shadow due to
partial reflow: Reject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Figure 26: Micrograph showing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Figure 27: Microsection showing partial reflow of solder paste: Reject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Figure 28: Perpendicular transmission X-radiograph showing unacceptable defects . . . . 72
Figure 29: Perpendicular transmission X-radiograph showing non-wetted pad . . . . . . . . . . 73
Figure 30: Angled transmission X-radiograph showing non-wetted pad: Reject . . . . . . . . . 73
Figure 31: Microsection through a ball showing non-wetting of solder to pad: Reject . . . 74
Figure 32: Microsection through ball showing partial wetting of solder to pad: Reject . . . 74
Figure 33: Microsection through ball showing solder bridge: Reject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Figure 34: X-radiograph showing many small voids and solder balls: Reject . . . . . . . . . . . 75

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Figure 35: Underside view showing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Figure 36: Side view showing column column by more than 5°: Reject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Figure 37: CGA mounted on PCB showing perpendicular columns centrally placed
on pads: Target condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Figure 38: CGA mounted on PCB showing columns tilted < 5°: Accept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Figure 39: X-radiograph of CGA mounted on PCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Figure 40: X-radiograph of CGA mounted on PCB showing missing column: Reject . . . . 78
Figure 41: X-radiograph of CGA mounted on PCB showing insufficient solder: Reject . . . 78
Figure 42: X-radiograph of CGA mounted on PCB showing solder bridge: Reject . . . . . . 78
Figure 43: X-radiograph of CGA showing excessive voiding in solder fillets at base
of columns: Reject . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Figure 44: Microsection of CGA mounted on PCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Figure 45: Micrograph of CGA mounted on PCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Figure 46: Micrograph of CGA mounted on PCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Figure 47: Microsection of CGA mounted on PCB showing minimum solder: Acceptable 80
Figure 48: Microsection of CGA mounted on PCB showing maximum solder: Acceptable 81
Figure 49: Sample after verification sample testing: Microsection of CGA mounted
on PCB showing crack in the solder fillet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Figure 50: Microsection of a CGA showing a crack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Figure 51: Microsection of CGA showing cracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Figure 52: Microsection of CGA showing cracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Figure 53: Microsection of CGA showing cracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Figure 54: Micrography of CBGA after dye penetration testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Figure 55: Micrography of CBGA after dye penetration testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Figure 56: Micrography of a column of CBGA after dye penetration testing . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Figure C-1: Typical CBGA solder joint (high melting point balls) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Figure C-2: Tilted columns to a CBGA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Tables

Table 1: Chemical composition of spacecraft solders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Table 2: Guide for choice of printed circuit boards and substrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Table 3: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for rectangular and square end
capped devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Table 4: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for bottom terminated chip devices 45
Table 5: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for cylindrical end-capped devices 45
Table 6: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for castellated chip carrier devices 46
Table 7: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for devices with round, flattened,
ribbon, “L” and gull-wing leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Table 8: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for devices with “J” leads . . . . . . . . 48
Table 9: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for area array devices . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Table E-1: Guide for choice of solder type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

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Scope

This Standard defines the technical requirements and quality assurance

provisions for the manufacture and verification of high-reliability electronic
circuits based on surface mounted device (SMD) and mixed technology.
The Standard defines acceptance and rejection criteria for high-reliability
manufacture of surface-mount and mixed-technology circuit assemblies intended
to withstanding normal terrestrial conditions and the vibrational g--loads and
environment imposed by space flight.
The proper tools, correct materials, design and workmanship are covered by this
document. Workmanship standards are included to permit discrimination
between proper and improper work.
The assembly of leaded devices to through-hole terminations and general
soldering principles are covered in ECSS--Q--70--08.
Requirements related to printed circuit boards are contained in ECSS--Q--70--10
and ECSS--Q--70--11. The substrates covered by this document are divided into
five classes in accordance with their average X and Y coefficient of thermal
expansion (CTE).
The mounting and supporting of components, terminals and conductors pre-
scribed herein applies to assemblies designed to operate within the temperature
limits of --55 ºC to +85 ºC.
For temperatures outside this normal range, special design, verification and
qualification testing is performed to ensure the necessary environmental survival
capability.
Special thermal heat sinks are applied to devices having high thermal dissipation
(e.g. junction temperatures of 110 ºC, power transistors) in order to ensure that
solder joints do not exceed 85 ºC.
Verification of SMD assembly processes is made on test vehicles (surface mount
verification samples). Temperature cycling ensures the operational lifetime for
spacecraft. However, mechanical testing only indicates SMD reliability as it is
unlikely that the test vehicle represents every flight configuration.
Examples of the method for achieving SMD verification approval and guidelines
for the soldering of area array devices are given in the Annexes.
This Standard does not cover the qualification and acceptance of the EQM and FM
equipment with surface-mount and mixed-technology.
The qualification and acceptance tests of equipment manufactured in accordance
with this Standard are covered by ECSS--E--10--03.

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Normative references

The following normative documents contain provisions which, through references

in this text, constitute provisions of this ECSS Standard. For dated references,
subsequent amendments to, or revisions of any of these publications do not apply.
However, parties to agreements based on this ECSS Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative
documents indicated below. For undated references, the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies.
ECSS--P--001B ECSS — Glossary of terms
ECSS--M--50B Space project management — Information/documentation
management
ECSS--Q--20B Space product assurance — Quality assurance
ECSS--Q--20--09B Space product assurance — Nonconformance control sys-
tem
ECSS--Q--60B Space product assurance — Electrical, electronic and
electromechanical (EEE) components
ECSS--Q--60--05A Space product assurance — Generic procurement require-
ments for hybrid microcircuits
ECSS--Q--70B Space product assurance — Materials, mechanical parts
and processes
ECSS--Q--70--01A Space product assurance — Cleanliness and contamination
control
ECSS--Q--70--02A Space product assurance — A thermal vacuum outgassing
test for the screening of space materials
ECSS--Q--70--08A Space product assurance — The manual soldering of
high–reliability electrical connections
ECSS--Q--70--10A Space product assurance — Qualification of printed circuit
boards
ECSS--Q--70--11A Space product assurance — Procurement of printed circuit
boards
ECSS--Q--70--71A Space product assurance — Data for selection of space
materials
MIL--STD--883 Method 2009.8

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Terms, definitions and abbreviations

3.1 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in
ECSS--P--001 and the following apply.

3.1.1
approval authority
entity that reviews and accepts the verification programme, evaluating the test
results and grants the final approval

3.1.2
co-planarity
maximum distance between lowest and highest termination when device rests on
flat surface

3.1.3
electrical clearance
spacing between non-common electrical conductors on external layers of a printed
circuit board assembly
NOTE The distance between conductors depends on the design
voltage and DC or AC peaks. Any violation of minimum
electrical clearance as a result of a nonconformance is a
defect condition.

3.1.4
scavenging (leaching)
basis metal or metallization partly or wholly dissolved in melted solder during a
soldering operation

3.1.5
selective plating
tin–lead plated solder pads connected to gold plated copper tracks
NOTE It is usually related to RF circuits

3.1.6
solder balling (solder balls)
numerous spheres of solder having not melted in with the joint form and being
scattered around the joint area normally attached by flux residues
NOTE Can be caused by incorrect preheating or poor quality solder.

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3.1.7
tombstoning
chip components lifting off one of their two terminal pads causing the chip to stand
up like a tombstone.
NOTE Normally caused by:
D bad design where one pad reaches solder reflow
temperature before the other;
D different quantities of solder paste on each pad;
D different solderability of one pad or one termination
with respect to the other.

3.1.8
underfill
encapsulant material deposited between a device and substrate used to reduce the
mechanical stress resulting from a mismatch in the coefficient of thermal
expansion (CTE) between the device and the substrate

3.1.9
dynamic wave soldering machine
system that achieves wave soldering and which consists of stations for fluxing,
preheating, and soldering by means of a conveyer

3.2 Abbreviated terms

The following abbreviated terms are defined and used within this document:
Abbreviation Meaning
BGA ball grid array
CBGA ceramic ball grid array
CGA column grid array
CCGA ceramic column grid array
CLCC ceramic leaded chip carrier
CTE coefficient of thermal expansion
JEDEC Joint Electron Device Engineering Council
LCCC leadless ceramic chip carrier
MELF metal electrode face bonded
NOTE Also known as minimelf or micromelf
MCGA multichip column grid array
PCB printed circuit board
PLCC plastic leaded chip carrier
PID process identification document
QFP quad flat pack
r.m.s. root–mean–square
SMD surface mounted device
SMT surface-mount technology
SO small outline
SOD small outline device
SOT small outline transistor
TO transistor outline

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Principles of reliable soldered connections

The following are the general principles to ensure reliable soldered connections:
D Reliable soldered connections are the result of proper design, control of tools,
materials, processes and work environments, and workmanship performed in
accordance to verified and approved procedures, inspection control and
precautions.
D The basic design concepts to ensure reliable connections and to avoid solder
joint failure are as follows:
S Stress relief is an inherent part of the design, which reduces detrimental
thermal and mechanical stresses on the solder connections.
S Where adequate stress relief is not possible materials are so selected that
the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients is a minimum at the
constraint points in the device mounting configuration.
D The assembled substrates are designed to allow easy inspection.
D Since only the outer row of solder joints to area array packages can be visually
inspected, inner rows are inspected using X-ray techniques. To facilitate X-ray
inspection of the solder joints to BGAs, the solder pads have a teardrop design.
D Circuit designs for area array devices, (e.g. BGA, CGA) have clearance around
the perimeter of these packages to ensure that reflow nozzles can perform
rework or repair operations (see ECSS--Q--70--28 [12]). The clearance depends
on the equipment used for reworking and the height of adjacent components.
NOTE Unpopulated areas on the underside of the substrate assist
indirect heating for removal of these packages. See also
Annex C, subclause C.3.
D Soldering to gold using tin-lead alloy can cause failure.

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Process identification document (PID)

5.1 General
5.1.1 Purpose
The purpose of the PID is to ensure that a precise reference is established for the
assembly processes approved in accordance with this Standard.
The PID provides a standard reference against which any anomalies occurring
after the approval can be examined and resolved.

5.1.2 Document preparation

The supplier shall prepare the PID according to subclause 5.1.3.

5.1.3 Content
a. The PID shall comprise
(a) the assembly design configuration
(b) materials and components used in manufacture
(c) all manufacturing assembly processes and production controls
(d) all inspection steps with associated methods.
NOTE This ensures that all future assemblies supplied by the
manufacturer are manufactured according to procedures
that are identical to those for which approval was granted.
b. All processes and procedures shall be verified and approved.

5.1.4 Approval
a. The PID shall be submitted to the approval authority
b. The Approval authority shall approve the PID.

5.2 Production control

a. The PID shall contain a production flow chart which identifies all individual
processes, inspections and a summary table that compiles all verified surface
mount components and materials
NOTE See Annex B for examples.
b. The points of application of quality controls shall be identified.

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c. The flow chart shall present the processes, inspections and quality controls
schematically in their correct sequence and, for each operation, make
reference to the corresponding documents.
d. The issue number and date of documents applicable at the time of preparation
of the flow chart shall be stated.
e. The following symbols shall be used to prepare the chart:

for process and assembly operations

for inspection and test operations

for quality control operations

5.3 Process identification document updating

a. The PID shall be managed in accordance with ECSS--M--50.
b. A PID shall represent the current verified manufacturing processes and
production controls.
c. Any proposed changes to the PID shall be agreed by the Approval authority.
d. The supplier shall identify the need for additional testing to be approved by
the Approval authority.
e. The PID, the summary table and the relevant applicable documents shall be
re-issued and agreed by the Approval authority.

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Preparatory conditions

6.1 Calibration
Records of tool calibration and verification shall be maintained.

6.2 Facility cleanliness

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.1 shall apply.

6.3 Environmental conditions

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.2 shall apply.

6.4 Precautions against static charges

ECSS--Q--70--08A,subclause 5.3 shall apply.

6.5 Lighting requirements

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.4 shall apply.

6.6 Equipment and tools

6.6.1 Brushes
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.5.1 shall apply.

6.6.2 Pliers
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.5.2 shall apply.

6.6.3 Bending tools

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.5.4 shall apply.

6.6.4 Clinching tools

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.5.5 shall apply.

6.6.5 Insulation strippers

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause shall 5.5.6 apply.

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6.6.6 Soldering tools
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.5.9 shall apply.

6.6.7 Soldering irons and resistance soldering equipment

a. ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.5.7 shall apply.
b. For surface mounted devices, the soldering tip shall not exceed 340 ºC.
NOTE Based on the component manufacturer’s recommendations,
solder iron can be substituted by applying, for instance, hot
air in order to avoid thermal shock.

6.6.8 Non–contact heat sources

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 5.5.8 shall apply.

6.6.9 Solder pots and baths

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.1.6 shall apply.

6.7 Soldering machines and equipment

6.7.1 General
a. Machines and equipment used to solder surface mount devices:
1. leadless and leaded devices specifically designed for surface mounting,
2. components initially designed for insertion mounting,
shall either be a type incorporating dynamic single or dual solder wave, or be
of the solder reflow type.
b. The soldering machine shall be grounded in order to avoid electrostatic
discharge.
c. The supplier shall ensure that the soldering conditions do not exceed the
values given by the individual component data sheets (e.g. maximum
temperature to avoid internal melting, removal of marking ink, degradation
of encapsulating plastic).
d. Temperature and time profiles for assembly shall be identified by the supplier
and approved by the approval authority.

6.7.2 Dynamic wave-solder machines

Dynamic soldering machines shall be of automatic type and of a design offering the
following:
a. Controllable preheating to drive off volatile solvents and to avoid thermal
shock damage to the PCB and component packages.
b. The capacity to maintain the solder temperature at the printed circuit board
assembly to within 5 ºC of the established bath temperature throughout the
duration of any continuous soldering run when measured 3,0 mm below the
surface of the wave.
c. A wave system that limits shadowing and allows solder fillet formation.
d. Carriers made from a material that cannot contaminate, degrade or damage
the printed circuit board or substrate nor transmit vibrations or shock stress
from the conveyors to a degree permitting physical, functional or electrostatic
damage to devices, board or substrate during transport through preheating,
soldering and cooling stages.
e. An extraction system, either integral or separate, conforming to the
requirements of subclauses 6.2 and 6.3.

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6.7.3 Condensation (vapour phase) reflow machines

Condensation reflow machines shall conform to the following requirements:
a. Not transmit a movement or vibration into the assemblies being soldered that
result in misalignment of parts or disturbed solder joints.
b. Be capable of preheating an assembly with solder paste to the temperature
recommended by the solder paste manufacturer prior to soldering.
c. Use a reflow fluid whose boiling point is a minimum of 12 ºC above the melting
point of the solder being used.
d. Maintain the preselected temperature to within ±5 ºC in the reflow zone
during soldering.
e. Include an extraction system that conforms to subclauses 6.2 and 6.3.

6.7.4 Hot gas reflow machines

Hot gas reflow machines shall conform to the following requirements:
a. Does not transmit movement or vibration to the assemblies being soldered
which result in misalignment of parts or disturbed solder joints.
b. Preheats an assembly with solder paste to the temperature recommended by
the solder paste manufacturer prior to soldering.
c. Heats the area of the assembly to be soldered to a preselected temperature
between 220 ºC and 250 ºC as measured on the substrate surface.
d. Prevents the reflow of adjacent components.
e. Maintains the preselected reflow temperature within ±5 ºC as measured at
the substrate surface.

6.7.5 Shorted bar and parallel gap resistance reflow

machines
Resistance reflow machines shall be of a design such that the system meets the
following requirements:
a. Does not impart mechanical damage to the component leads.
b. Provides “time at temperature” control type of power supply.
c. Maintains the shorted bar or component lead to a preselected temperature
that is a minimum of 12 ºC above the melting point of the solder being used.
d. Maintains the dwell time at temperature to within 5 % of the preset value.
e. Provides a repeatable down force to within 15 % of the preset value.
f. Provides a system (e.g. an optical feature) to ensure that the shorted bar or
electrode alignment with the component lead foot is within 20 % of the
nominal lead foot length.

6.7.6 Convection and radiation reflow systems

Convection and radiation reflow machines shall be of design such that the system
meets the following requirements:
a. Provides a controlled temperature profile and does not transmit movement or
vibration into the assembly being soldered.
b. Preheats an assembly with solder paste to the temperature recommended by
the solder paste manufacturer prior to soldering.
c. Heats the area of the assembly to be soldered using focused or unfocussed
energy, to a preselected temperature that is a minimum of 12 ºC above the
melting point of the solder being used as measured at laminate or substrate
surface.

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d. Maintains the preselected temperature to within 6 ºC in the reflow zone
during soldering.

6.7.7 Other equipment for reflow soldering

Other solder reflow systems can be approved for use by the Approval authority.
This approval shall be subject to compliance with subclauses 6.7.1 to 6.7.6.

6.8 Ancillary equipment

6.8.1 General
Equipment shall not generate, induce or transmit electrostatic charges to devices
being placed.

6.8.2 Solder deposition equipment

a. Equipment used to deposit solder pastes shall be of a screening, stencilling,
dispensing, roller coating or dotting type.
b. Equipment shall apply pastes of a viscosity and quantity such that the
positioned device is retained on the board before and during soldering
operations, ensuring self-centring and solder fillet formation.
c. Equipment used to apply solder preforms shall ensure alignment of the
preform with the land or device lead and termination.

6.8.3 Automatic device placement equipment

a. Automatic or computer controlled equipment used for device placement shall
be of the coordinate-driven pick-and-place type or of the robotic type.
b. The placement equipment used shall be of a type that:
1. prevents device or board damages
2. indexes devices with respect to the circuit
3. aligns the device leads or castellations with the board terminal areas.

6.8.4 Cleaning equipment and systems

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclauses 11.1 and 11.2 shall apply.

6.8.5 Cleanliness testing equipment

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 11.3.1 shall apply.

6.8.6 Magnification aids

Subclause 13.1 shall apply.

6.8.7 X-ray inspection equipment

a. X-ray inspection shall not damage the components.
b. X-ray equipment shall be calibrated in order to evaluate the total dose
received by the components during the inspection.
NOTE In order to minimize the dose given to the component, it is
good practice to:
D Record the total dose received.
D Use off-line image analysis as much as possible.
D Use filters, optimizing the direction of the X-ray beam
and masking sensitive areas.
c. The resolution of the X-ray equipment shall be able to detect solder balls
having a diameter of 0,03 mm.

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d. The sensitivity shall be demonstrated by means of actual 0,03 mm diameter

solder balls, stuck to adhesive tape, attached to the multilayer board assembly
being inspected.
NOTE For guidelines, see C.4.3 and E.1 for X--ray inspection.

6.8.8 Metallographic equipment

The metallographic equipment shall enable mounting, cross-sectioning and
polishing of the solder interconnections.

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Material selection

7.1 General
Material selection shall be performed in accordance with ECSS--Q--70--71.

7.2 Solder
7.2.1 Form
a. Solder paste, ribbon, wire and preforms shall be used provided that the alloy
and flux meet the requirements in subclause 7.2.2.
b. Alloy for use in solder baths shall be supplied as ingots (without flux).

7.2.2 Composition
a. The solder alloy shall have a composition specified in Table 1, unless approved
by the Approval authority.
NOTE 1 See ISO 9453 for further details.
NOTE 2 The solder alloy used depends upon the application. See
Annex E.2 for Guide for choice of solder type.

7.2.3 Solder paste

a. Solder paste shall conform to the requirements of subclause 7.2.1.
NOTE The solder ball size and flux percentage are selected
depending on the process employed, i.e. screen, stencil or
needle application.
b. The metal purity shall be as specified in Table 1.

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Table 1: Chemical composition of spacecraft solders
Sn Pb In Sb Ag Bi Cu Fe Zn Al As Cd Other
ESA
designation min % - min % - min % -
max % max % max % max % max % max % max % max % max % max % max % max % max %

63 tin 62,5-63,5 remain - 0,05 - 0,10 0,05 0,02 0,001 0,001 0,03 0,002 0,08
solder

62 tin 61,5-62,5 remain - 0,05 1,8-2,2 0,10 0,05 0,02 0,001 0,001 0,03 0,002 0,08
silver
loaded

60 tin 59,5-61,5 remain - 0,05 - 0,10 0,05 0,02 0,001 0,001 0,03 0,002 0,08
solder

96 tin remain 0,10 - 0,05 3,5-4,0 0,10 0,05 0,02 0,001 0,001 0,03 0,002 0,08
solder

75 indium max. 0,25 remain 74,0-76,0 0,05 - 0,10 0,05 0,02 0,001 0,001 0,03 0,002 0,08
lead

70 indium 0,00-0,10 remain 69,3-70,7 0,05 - 0,10 0,05 0,02 0,001 0,001 0,03 0,002 0,08
lead

50 indium 0,00-0,10 remain 49,5-50,5 0,05 - 0,10 0,05 0,02 0,001 0,001 0,03 0,002 0,08
lead

10 tin lead 9,0-10,5 remain - 0,05 - 0,10 0,05 0,02 0,001 0,001 0,03 0,002 0,08

7.2.4 Maintenance of paste purity

a. When purchased premixed or mixed in house, the purity of solder paste shall
be maintained.
b. Manufacturers’ instructions shall be applied for the handling and storage of
containers of solder paste purchased premixed.
c. Refrigerated solder paste shall reach room temperature before opening the
container.
d. Neither paste purchased premixed nor paste mixed in-house shall be used if
the use-by date or shelf life recommended by the manufacturer of the paste
or paste constituents has expired.
e. When the solder paste’s shelf life has expired (see ECSS--Q--70--22 [11]), it
shall not be used unless:
1. relifing is performed
2. tests that include visual inspection and viscosity measurements (accord-
ing to the manufacturer’s recommendations) are passed successfully.
f. When relifing is performed, and the material passes the specified tests, the
new shelf life shall be half the initial shelf life.
g. Tools used for removing solder paste from the container shall not contaminate
the paste dispensed or that remaining within.

7.3 Flux
7.3.1 Rosin based flux
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 6.2.1 shall apply.

7.3.2 Corrosive acid flux

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 6.2.2 shall apply.

7.3.3 Flux controls for wave-soldering equipment

A controlled method shall be established and implemented for wave-soldering
machines such that the flux is not contaminated with remaining residues from
previous non-space works.

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7.4 Solvents
7.4.1 Acceptable solvents
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 6.3.1 shall apply.

7.4.2 Drying
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 6.3.2 shall apply.

7.5 Flexible insulation materials

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 6.4 shall apply.

7.6 Terminals
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 6.5 shall apply.

7.7 Wires
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 6.6 shall apply.

7.8 Printed circuit substrates

7.8.1 Selection
a. Printed circuit boards and substrates shall be selected from the classes given
in Table 2.
b. The class of board selected shall have a CTE characteristic compatible with
the CTE of the devices.
NOTE 1 The objective is that the impact of stresses from the
environment is minimized.
NOTE 2 The warp and twist of multilayer boards can affect the
geometry of the solder joints.
c. The warp and twist of the printed circuit multilayer board shall be in
accordance with ECSS--Q--70--11.
NOTE Symmetrical board design reduces warp and twist of the
printed circuit board.
Table 2: Guide for choice of printed circuit boards and
substrates
Class Description CTE (10--6/°C)
1 Non-compensated printed board 14 -- 17
2 Ceramic 5 -- 7
3 Compensated printed board 11 -- 13
4 Compensated printed board 9 -- 11
5 Compensated printed board 5 -- 9

7.8.2 Class 1 - Non-compensated printed circuit board

Boards shall be made of materials and manufactured according to the require-
ments of ECSS--Q--70--10 and procured to ECSS--Q--70--11.
NOTE Typical substrates are epoxy-woven glass and polyimide-
woven glass.

7.8.3 Class 2 - Ceramic substrates

Hybrid microcircuits shall meet the requirements of ECSS--Q--60--05.

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26 October 2007 ECSS
NOTE Typical PCB ceramic substrates are alumina and aluminium
nitride.

7.8.4 Class 3 - Compensated printed circuit board

Boards shall be made of materials and manufactured according to the require-
ments of ECSS--Q--70--10 and procured according to ECSS--Q--70--11.
NOTE These boards can be reinforced with low CTE fibres such as
aramid, quartz or carbon.

7.8.5 Class 4 - Compensated printed circuit board

Boards shall be made of materials and manufactured according to the require-
ments of ECSS--Q--70--10 and procured according to ECSS--Q--70--11.
NOTE CTE compensated boards use standard construction and are
compensated with materials such as a distributed plane
consisting of a low CTE material.

7.8.6 Class 5 - Compensated printed circuit board

Boards shall be made of materials and manufactured according to the require-
ments of ECSS--Q--70--10 and procured according to ECSS--Q--70--11.
NOTE CTE compensated boards use a standard construction with
compensated materials such as low CTE substrate or cores.
Typical cores are copper-plated invar and copper-plated
molybdenum.

7.9 Components
7.9.1 General
a. Components and their finishes shall be selected from those approved
according to ECSS--Q--60B, subclause 4.2 and 4.3.
b. Device leads and terminations shall be solder coated with a tin/lead alloy in
accordance with Table E--1.
NOTE It is good practice to select the device with solder finish
applied over sintered metal on ceramic terminations having
a diffusion barrier (nickel or equivalient diffusion layer)
layer between the metallization and the solder finish.
c. Solder may be applied to the leads by hot dipping or by plating from a solution.
d. Plated solder terminations shall be subjected to a post plating reflow
operation to fuse the solder.
e. The incoming inspection of each component batch shall include the
verification of the termination composition (to avoid assembly of pure tin
finish).
f. Pure tin finish with more than 97 % purity shall not be used.
NOTE This is due to the possibility of whisker growth and
transformation to grey tin powder at low temperatures.
g. Where condensation reflow (vapour phase) is used for assembly, devices shall
be capable of withstanding three cycles through the reflow system at its
operating temperature (e.g. 215 ºC), each cycle consisting of a minimum of
60 seconds of exposure.
h. Where wave soldering is used for surface-mount soldering, devices shall be
capable of withstanding a minimum of 10 seconds immersion in molten solder
at 260 ºC.
i. Devices shall be capable of withstanding cleaning processes currently used in
space projects.

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7.9.2 Active components

a. Active leadless devices (e.g. transistors, thyristors, diodes, and integrated
circuit devices) shall be of a configuration incorporating sintered metal-on-ce-
ramic terminations, solid-reflow termination pads integrated to the device
body.
b. Axial leads, wire or ribbon non-axial leads shall be hermetically sealed.
c. Castellated chip carrier components shall have no discontinuities in the
metallized terminal areas on the mounting pattern of the device.

7.9.3 Moisture sensitive components

a. Moisture sensitive components shall be stored and handled according to the
component manufacturer’s recommendations. See also subclause 8.5. b.
NOTE Many types of plastic encapsulated components, particular-
ly some plastic BGAs, are moisture sensitive.
b. When moisture sensitive components are used, bakeout shall be performed
in accordance with subclause 8.5 b.

7.9.4 Passive components

a. If passive components initially designed for insertion-mount application are
used for surface mounting, they shall be of a style that can be surface-mount
adapted to provide conformance with the requirements of subclause 7.9.1.
b. The adaptation as in 7.9.4 a. shall not functionally or physically degrade the
component or the substrate to which the adapted component is to be attached.
c. End-capped and end-metallized devices shall have no discontinuities in the
terminal areas.
d. The body of the devices shall not be cracked, scored, chipped, broken or
otherwise damaged to an extent greater than specified in the applicable
procurement specification.
e. Connectors shall be of a configuration incorporating either male or female
quick-disconnect contacts and stress relief provision for the soldered
connection of each individual contact when such connections are completed.

7.10 Adhesives (staking compounds and heat sinking), encapsulants

and conformal coatings
a. Adhesives shall be dispensable, non-stringing, and shall have a reproducible
dot profile after application.
b. Adhesives, encapsulant and conformal coating shall be non-corrosive to
devices and substrates.
c. The uncured strength shall be capable of holding devices during handling
prior to curing.
d. Adhesives, encapsulants and conformal coatings shall conform to the
outgassing requirements of ECSS--Q--70--02A, clause 7.
e. Adhesives, encapsulants and conformal coatings shall have no adverse effects
upon materials used on the substrate, or devices attached thereon.
NOTE The effects of some conformal coatings on the reliability of
mounted SMDs are described in ESA SP-1173 [3].
f. Adhesives, encapsulants and conformal coatings shall be selected based on
their thermal conductivity and dielectric properties (see ESA STM 265 [2]).
NOTE Some thermally conductive adhesives used to dissipate Joule
heating are listed in ESA STM-265 “Evaluation of Thermally

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26 October 2007 ECSS
Conductive Adhesives as Staking Compounds during the
Assembly of Spacecraft Electronics” [2].
g. The capability of the adhesives to meet their requirements shall be
demonstrated by means of a verification test programme according to
clause 14.
NOTE Adhesion to fused tin/lead finishes is poor (see also
ECSS--Q--70--28).
h. Stress relief of device leads shall not be negated by the encapsulants or
conformal coatings.
NOTE 1 This is particularly important at low service temperatures.
NOTE 2 The coefficient of expansion, glass transition temperature
and modulus of adhesives used under devices for thermal
reasons, for achieving stand-off heights or mechanical
support during vibration, can be considered to ensure that
the additional stress put on the solder joints does not degrade
the solder joint reliability.

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Preparation for soldering

8.1 Preparation of devices and terminals

8.1.1 Preparation of wires and terminals
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.1 shall apply.

8.1.2 Preparation of surfaces to be soldered

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.1.5 shall apply.

8.1.3 Degolding and pretinning of conductors

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.1.6 shall apply.

8.1.4 Alloying of pure tin finish

Tin finish with more than 97 % tin purity shall not be used.
NOTE 1 This is due to the possibility of whisker growth and
transformation to grey tin powder at low temperature.
NOTE 2 Pure tin terminations can be dipped into liquid solder as
described in ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.1.6 in order to
replace the tin with tin-lead alloy.

8.2 Preparation of solder bit

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.2 shall apply.

8.3 Handling
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.4 shall apply.

8.4 Storage
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.5 shall apply.

8.5 Baking of PCBs and moisture sensitive components

a. ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.6 shall apply for PCBs, partially assembled
PCBs and assemblies going through reworking.
b. Baking of moisture sensitive devices before an assembly process shall be
implemented.

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26 October 2007 ECSS
NOTE This is to counteract the “popcorn” effect in soldering using
oven or vapour phase reflow techniques.
c. Baking times and temperatures shall be documented.
NOTE 1 Typical baking conditions are from 6 h to 24 h at 125 ºC
depending on the JEDEC classification, except for
components delivered in reels for which a lower temperature
and longer time are used.
NOTE 2 It is good practice to store components under nitrogen, dry
air (20 % RH maximum) or partial vacuum.

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Mounting of devices prior to soldering

9.1 General requirements

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 8.1 shall apply.

9.2 Lead bending and cutting requirements

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 8.2 shall apply.

9.3 Mounting of terminals to PCBs

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 8.3 shall apply.

9.4 Lead attachment to through holes

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 8.4 shall apply.

9.5 Mounting of components to terminals

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 8.5 shall apply.

9.6 Mounting of connectors to PCBs

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 8.7 shall apply.

9.7 Surface mount requirements

9.7.1 General
a. Devices to be mounted shall be designed for, and be capable of withstanding
the soldering temperatures of the particular process being used for fabrication
of the assembly.
b. Surface mounted devices may be mounted on either one side or both sides of
a printed circuit assembly.
c. Devices incapable of withstanding machine soldering temperatures shall be
hand soldered in a subsequent operation.

9.7.2 Stress relief

When Class 1 boards are employed (i.e. glass fibre epoxy or glass fibre polyimide
resins with no CTE compensation), the supplier shall accommodate CTE
mismatch by the mounting technology.

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26 October 2007 ECSS
NOTE 1 Pure eutectic tin–lead solder or indium–lead solder provide
better stress relief (due to their ductility) than those with
additional elements, e.g. antimony, gold.
NOTE 2 Leadless devices with e.g. end-cap terminations, metalliz-
ations, can have some stress relief (such as additional foil or
wire leads, possibly attached by welding or high melting
point solder).
NOTE 3 A solder stand-off (see Figure 2, dimension “X”) can assist
stress relief; in this situation, the CTE mismatch strain is
taken up by the ductile solder.
NOTE 4 CTE compensated substrates or laminates of Classes 2 -- 5
(listed in subclause 7.8) can be selected to match the CTE of
large leadless packages.

9.7.3 Registration of devices and pads

a. Devices shall be mounted on their associated terminal pads (lands).
b. The spacing between conductive elements shall not be reduced below the
minimum electrical spacing specified in ECSS--Q--70--11A, Tables 1, 2, 4 and
5.
NOTE Some surface mounted components that are not bonded to
the PCB can self-align during the soldering process. It is the
registration after soldering that is important.

9.7.4 Lead forming

a. The leads of leaded surface mount devices shall be formed to their final
configuration prior to mounting.
b. Forming shall not degrade the solderability or cause loss of plating adhesion
to the leads.
c. Forming shall not cause mechanical damage to the leads or attachment seals.
d. Leads of dual-in-line and gull-wing packages, flat-packs and other multi-
leaded devices shall be dressed (mechanically re-aligned) to ensure co-planar-
ity.

9.7.5 Mounting devices in solder paste

a. Both leaded and leadless surface mounted devices shall be mounted in solder
paste prior to reflow soldering.
NOTE It is good practice to optimize the pick and place mounting
force on the device lead, ball or column.
b. The solder paste deposited on each solder land shall be visually inspected for
registration and coverage by the operator prior to mounting the devices.
NOTE After device mounting, the solder paste can extend beyond
the edge of the pad by up to 40 % of the conductor separation.

9.7.6 Leadless devices

a. Devices shall not be stacked.
b. Devices shall not bridge the spacing between other parts or components such
as terminals or other properly mounted devices.
c. Except for RF applications, devices with electrical elements deposited on an
external surface (such as resistors) shall be mounted with that surface facing
away from the printed circuit board or substrate.
NOTE See Figure 1 for details.

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d. Devices that are bonded to the PCB prior to wave- or reflow-soldering shall
be placed so that the requirements after soldering given in clause 11 are met.
e. The adhesive shall not extend onto the solder pads.
f. Artificial stand-off (e.g. elevation as seen in subclause 11.5.5) may be achieved
by removable spacers or other techniques according to fully documented
procedures.

Figure 1: Exposed element

9.7.7 Leaded devices

Surface mounting of leaded (round or flattened cross section) devices shall be
parallel to the board surface.

9.7.8 Area array devices

There shall be no more than three reflow operations on a single device
NOTE Any reworking constitutes one reflow operation (see also
C.2.5.1).

9.7.9 Staking of heavy devices

a. Staking compounds shall be selected according to subclause 7.10.
b. Contamination shall be removed prior to staking.
NOTE Some surfaces can be prepared to enhance the adhesion (e.g.
by mechanical abrasion).
c. Staking compounds shall be mixed and cured in accordance with the
manufacturer’s procedures.
d. The process of applying the staking compound shall be controlled by a written
procedure which defines the location of the staking compound, the volume and
the spread area (between device bottom surface and substrate upper surface).
e. The staking compound shall not negate the stress relief of the device, nor come
into contact with surrounding devices.
f. All devices except area arrays weighing more than 5 g shall be staked.
NOTE 1 This is to minimize shock and vibration loading on the leads
NOTE 2 The staking compound can be applied either before or after
soldering according to the supplier’s process identification
document.

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10

Attachment of conductors to terminals,

solder cups and cables

ECSS--Q--70--08A, clause 9 shall apply.

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11

Soldering to terminals and printed circuit boards

11.1 General
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 10.1 shall apply.

11.2 Solder application to terminals

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 10.2 shall apply.

11.3 Solder applications to PCBs

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 10.3 shall apply.

11.4 Wicking
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 10.4 shall apply.

11.5 Soldering of SMDs

11.5.1 General requirements
a. Devices shall not be mounted on flexible substrates according to
ECSS--Q--70--10A, subclause 3.1.6.
b. Soldering to gold with tin/lead alloys shall not be performed (see also
subclause 8.1.3).
c. Devices shall not be stacked nor bridge the space between other parts or
components (e.g. as terminals or other properly mounted devices).
d. Mispositioning of devices shall not reduce the specified minimum electrical
clearance to adjacent tracks or other metallized elements.
e. Non-axial-leaded devices (e.g. small outline, flat-packs and similar devices)
shall be mounted with all leads seated on a terminal area to ensure
mechanical strength.
f. Solder shall cover and wet the solderable surfaces as specified in subclause
13.2.

11.5.2 End-capped and end-metallized devices

End-capped and end-metallized devices having terminations of a square or
rectangular configuration (such as chip resistors, chip capacitors, MELFs and

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26 October 2007 ECSS
similar leadless discrete components) can have three or five face terminations, as
shown in “a” and “b” in Figure 2.
a. There shall be no discernible discontinuities in the solder coverage of the
terminal areas of devices.
b. Solder shall not encase any non-metallized portion of the body of the device
following reflow.
c. The solder joints to these devices shall meet the dimensional and solder fillet
requirements of Table 3 and Figure 2.
Table 3: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for
rectangular and square end capped devices
Parameter Dimension Dimension limits
Maximum side overhang A 0,1 × W
End overhang B Not permitted
Minimum lap contact L 0,13 mm
Minimum fillet height M X + 0,3 × H or
X + 0,5 mm
whichever is less
Stand-off (elevation) X Present up to
0,4 mm
Maximum tilt limit C 10_
Minimum solder coverage of -- 75 %
edges on terminal pad (see Annex E.1)

Figure 2: Mounting of rectangular and square end-capped and

end-metallized devices

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11.5.3 Bottom terminated chip devices

Devices having metallized terminations on the bottom side only (e.g. discrete chip
components, ceramic leadless chip carriers) shall meet the dimensional and solder
fillet requirements of Table 4 and Figure 3.
Table 4: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for
bottom terminated chip devices
Parameter Dimen- Dimension limits
sion
Maximum side overhang A 0,1 × W
End overhang B Not permitted
Minimum lap contact L 0,75 × W
Stand-off (elevation) X 0,1 mm to 0,4 mm

Figure 3: Mounting of bottom terminated chip devices

11.5.4 Cylindrical end-capped devices

Solder joints to components having cylindrical terminations (such as MELF and
SOD components) shall meet the dimensional and solder fillet requirements of
Table 5 and Figure 4.
Table 5: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for
cylindrical end-capped devices
Parameter Dimension Dimension limits
Maximum side overhang A 0,25 × D
End overhang B Not permitted
Minimum fillet width E 0,5 × D
Minimum fillet height M X + 0,3 × D or
X + 1,0 mm which-
ever is less
Minimum side fillet length L 0,5 × T
Stand-off (elevation) X Present up to
0,75 mm

Figure 4: Mounting of cylindrical end-capped devices

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11.5.5 Castellated chip carrier devices
Joints to castellated device terminations shall meet the dimensional and solder
fillet requirements of Table 6 and Figure 5.
NOTE 1 The stand-off enables adequate cleaning beneath the
assembled LCCC and also to enhance solder fatigue life (see
also subclause 9.7.6 f.)
NOTE 2 Devices bigger than LCCC 16 are not expected to be used for
space applications when mounted on Class 1 substrates.
Table 6: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for
castellated chip carrier devices
Parameter Dimension Dimension limits
Maximum side overhang A Zero
Maximum fillet length E P
Minimum fillet height M 0,25 × H
Stand-off (elevation) X 0,1 mm to 0,4 mm

Figure 5: Mounting of castellated chip carrier devices

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11.5.6 Devices with round, flattened, ribbon, “L” and gull-wing

leads
Solder joints formed to round, flattened, ribbon, “L” and gull-wing shaped leads
shall meet the dimensional and solder fillet requirements of Table 7 and Figure 6.
Table 7: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for devices
with round, flattened, ribbon, “L” and gull-wing leads
Parameter Dimension Dimension limits
Maximum side overhang A 0,1 × W
Minimum distance to pad B 0,20 mm
edge at toe
Minimum distance to pad L 0,5 × W
edge at heel
Minimum side joint length D 1,5 × W
Minimum heel fillet height E X+T

Figure 6: Mounting of devices with round, flattened, ribbon, “L”

and gull-wing leads

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11.5.7 Devices with “J” leads
Solder joints formed to “J” and “V” shaped leads shall meet the dimensional and
solder fillet requirements of Table 8 and Figure 7.

Table 8: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for

devices with “J” leads
Parameter Dimension Dimension limits
Maximum side overhang A 0,1 × W
Minimum side joint length L 1,5 × W
Minimum heel fillet height M X+T
Maximum stand-off X 0,75 mm

Figure 7: Mounting of devices with “J” leads

11.5.8 Area array devices

a. The outer row of solder joints to area array devices shall be visually inspected
by looking from the side in accordance with the requirements in 11.5.1 and
Table 9 and with the rejection criteria specified in 13.3 and 13.4.
b. Inner rows of solder joints shall be inspected using X-ray techniques in
accordance with subclause 6.8.7 and Table 9.
NOTE 1 Annex C, subclause C.4.3 and the workmanship standard
shown in subclauses 16.2 and 16.3 can be used as guidelines
for such an inspection.
NOTE 2 As it is impossible to visually inspect solder joints to area
array devices, reliability of these devices cannot be assured
by inspection and rework. Even using X-ray techniques,
some types of defect are difficult to detect. Therefore,
reliability of these solder joints can only be assured by robust
process control. Quality assurance guidance for these types
of devices is given in Annex C.
NOTE 3 Examples of typical area array devices are shown in
Figures 8, 9 and 10.

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Table 9: Dimensional and solder fillet requirements for

area array devices
Parameter Dimension limits
Misplacement 0,15 × D (for outer edge)
BGA ball Collapse of BGA ball spacing does not violate
minimum electrical clearance or become less
than 0,10 mm.
Maximum component Overall height of component does not exceed
height maximum specified.
Soldered connection a. BGA balls contact and wet to the land forming a
continuous elliptical connection consistent with
the tear drop.
b. CGA solder columns contact and wet to the land
forming a continuous connection
Voids in the solder Voids to the solder-to-package interface or
region (see C.2.2) solder-to-PCB interface:
a. max. 25 % of the BGA ball cross section.
b. max. 25 % of the column cross section diameter,
by X-ray or microsection or alternative tech-
nique.
Solder balls Any solder ball having a diameter greater
than 0,1 mm shall be rejected.
The total number of solder balls having a
diameter greater than 0,03 mm shall not
exceed 10 per device.
Maximum CGA col- 5 degrees
umn tilt
D = pad diameter (not including any teardrop extension)

Figure 8: Typical plastic ball grid array (PBGA)

Figure 9: Typical ceramic area array showing ball grid array

configuration on left and column grid array on right (CBGA & CCGA)

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Figure 10: Typical assembled CCGA device

11.6 Tall profile devices

a. Tall profile components having bottom only terminations, as illustrated in
Figure 11, shall not be used if the height (V) is greater than the width or
breadth (T).
b. Devices taller than 12 mm in height shall be bonded or secured to the board
without reducing the existing lead stress relief.
NOTE This is to minimize shock and vibration loading on the part
leads

Figure 11: Dimensions of tall profile components

11.7 Staking of solder assembly

When devices, except area arrays, weighing more than 5 g are not staked or
secured to the board prior to soldering, they shall be staked or secured after
soldering according to subclause 9.7.9.

11.8 Underfill
Underfill beneath area arrays may be applied if it does not restrict the possibility
of device removal.
NOTE 1 For power dissipation thermal adhesive can be used
provided that it does not contravene the requirement of this
standard (see ESA STM--265 for suitable silicone product)
[2].
NOTE 2 Underfill has been observed to promote thermal fatigue of
soldered connections during thermal cycling (see ESA
STM--266 [4]).

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12

Cleaning of PCB assemblies

12.1 General
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 11.1 shall apply.

12.2 Ultrasonic cleaning

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 11.2 shall apply.

12.3 Monitoring for cleanliness

ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 11.3 shall apply.

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13

Final inspection

13.1 General
a. Each soldered connection shall be visually inspected in accordance with the
criteria specified in the subclauses below.
b. Inspection shall be aided by magnification appropriate to the size of the
connections between 4X and 10X.
c. Additional magnification shall be used to resolve suspected anomalies or
defects.
d. Parts and conductors shall not be physically moved to aid inspection.
e. The substrate, components and component position, as well as the fasteners
and the mounting hardware, shall be inspected in accordance with the
requirements in subclause 11.5.
NOTE Clause 16 includes examples of acceptable and unacceptable
workmanship.

13.2 Acceptance criteria

Acceptable solder connections shall be characterised by:
a. clean, smooth, satin to bright undisturbed surface,
b. solder fillets between conductor and termination areas as described and
illustrated in clause 16,
c. visible contour of wires and leads such that their presence, direction of bend
and termination end can be determined,
d. complete wetting as evidenced by a low contact angle between the solder and
the joined surfaces,
e. acceptable amount and distribution of solder in accordance with subclause
11.5,
f. absence of any of the defects mentioned in subclauses 13.3 and 13.4.

13.3 Visual rejection criteria

The following are some characteristics of unsatisfactory conditions, any of which
shall be cause for rejection:
a. charred, burned or melted insulation of parts,

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b. conductor pattern separation from circuit board,
c. burns on base materials,
d. continuous discolouration between two conductor patterns (e.g. measling,
delamination, halo effect),
e. excessive solder (including peaks, icicles and bridging), see clause 16,
f. flux residue, solder splatter, solder balls, or other foreign matter on circuitry,
beneath components or on adjacent areas,
g. dewetting,
h. insufficient solder, see clause 16,
i. pits, holes or voids, or exposed base metal (excluding the ends of cut leads) in
the soldered connection,
j. granular or disturbed solder joints,
k. fractured or cracked solder connection,
l. cut, nicked, gouged or scraped conductors or conductor pattern,
m. incorrect conductor length,
n. incorrect direction of clinch or lap termination on a PCB
o. damaged conductor pattern,
p. bare copper or base metal, excluding the ends of cut wire or leads or sides of
tracks and soldering pads on substrate,
q. soldered joints made directly to gold-plated terminals or gold-plated
conductors using tin-lead solders,
r. cold solder joints,
s. component body embedded within solder fillet,
t. open solder joints (e.g. tombstoning),
u. probe marks present on the metallization of chip devices caused by electrical
testing after assembly.
v. Glass seal does not conform to MIL--STD--883 Method 2009.8.

13.4 X-ray rejection criteria for area array devices

The following are some characteristics of not acceptable conditions from X-ray
inspection, utilizing equipment defined in subclause 6.8.7, any of which shall be
cause for rejection:
a. criteria and dimensions outside the limits given in Table 9,
b. bridges,
c. for BGA: non-wetting of the solder on the teardrop pad.

13.5 Warp and twist of populated boards

Warp and twist exceeding the requirement of ECSS--Q--70--11A Table 1, 4 and 5,
shall not be reduced after solder operation.
NOTE Shims can be used to accommodate warp and twist during
integration.

13.6 Inspection records

The result of the final inspection shall be recorded on the shop traveller.

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14

Verification procedure

14.1 General
a. The supplier shall establish a verification programme to be approved by the
Approval authority.
NOTE Annex A presents an example of such a programme
b. The supplier shall demonstrate verification for each combination of substrate
class, SMD type, soldering technique applied, staking compound and
conformal coating as used on flight models.
c. Both, the verification of the assembly by hand and machine soldering shall
be made in accordance with this clause 14.
d. The supplier shall design surface mount verification samples (test vehicles)
using printed circuit board substrates (e.g. basic materials, number of layers,
thickness).
e. The range of surface mounted components and associated materials shall be
documented in the verification programme, including
1. For passive components: nature, types, sizes, termination finishes.
2. For active components: type of package, sizes, number of I/0, pitch,
termination finishes.
3. Solder alloy composition, adhesives, conformal coating and printed circuit
boards.
f. The verification test boards shall support at least three devices of each type
and size of component which are assembled according to the PID specified in
clause 5.
g. The supplier’s repair process including removing and replacing of one of each
type of mounted device shall be submitted to verification testing.
h. The configuration shall be submitted to a verification test programme as
specified in subclause 14.3.
i. Any mounted package that has been verified on one class of substrate shall
be considered verified on another substrate material that belongs to the same
class as shown in Table 2 and has the same surface finish.
j. Verification by similarity shall not be used for moisture sensitive components.
k. Verification testing of plastic encapsulated components shall be performed for
each batch according to this clause.

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l. A repair, not included in ECSS--Q--70--28A, shall be submitted to a
verificiation test programme.

14.2 Verification by similarity

a. The assembly of intermediate sizes of SMD, of a same package type, shall be
considered approved when the smallest and largest devices pass the
environmental test programmes made in accordance with this Standard.
NOTE SMD size is defined by the greatest distance between
soldering points, which is the diagonal dimension, usually
between corner leads. A square package is considered the
same family as a rectangular package.
b. When the weight of the intermediate size of the device is not between the
weight of the smallest and biggest device the verification by similarity shall
not apply.
c. Packages belonging to the same family shall be constructed from the same
materials.
d. The lead pitch and materials composition shall be identical.
e. The coated layers on the termination shall be identical.
f. The metallization of the termination and the barrier layers on leadless devices
shall be identical.
g. Different lead forms (e.g. gullwing, J--leads, and LCC) shall be considered as
different families.
h. Side-brazed, top-brazed and bottom-brazed packages shall be considered as
different families.
i. Dual and quad-side pin arrangements shall be considered as different
families.
j. Within a family the bending dimensions and shape shall be identical.
k. Verification by similarity shall not apply to plastic components.

14.3 Verification test programme

a. The verification test programme as shown in Figure 12 shall consist of:
1. Visual inspection according to clause 13.
2. Vibration testing according to subclause 14.5.
NOTE Mechanical testing according to this standard gives an
indication of the reliability of the product in actual
applications. It is unlikely that the test vehicle represents
every flight configuration (size of the board, damping of the
board, stiffening of board, number of board layers). The
deflections, amplitudes, transmissibilities, radii of curva-
ture experienced by SMDs under shock and vibration are
totally dependant on the board to which they are mounted.
Because each space project has its own unique shock and
vibration requirements it is impossible to determine
appropriate test levels without testing actual electronic
boxes.
3. Temperature cycling according to subclause 14.6 except for area array
devices where temperature cycling is according to subclause 14.9.2.
NOTE Temperature cycling is performed to ensure that the SMDs,
substrates, solder alloys and associated staking compounds
and conformal coatings are suitable for the operational
lifetime of the spacecraft.

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4. Microsectioning and dye-penetrant testing according to subclauses 14.7

and 14.8.
b. The supplier shall present a verification programme for approval.
NOTE Owing to the different modes of failure resulting from
vibration and temperature cycling, the supplier can use any
sequence of environmental testing.

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Surface-mount verification samples (Test vehicles)

Assembly by soldering Assembly by hand-soldering

machine (including e.g. (including e.g. cleaning, and
cleaning, and gluing) gluing)
(Device to be removed and (Device to be removed and
replaced) a replaced) a

Visual inspection
(see 13)

Conformal coating if used 200 Thermal cycles (see 14.6)

Electrical testing b Electrical testing b

(see 14.4) (see 14.4)

Visual inspection Visual inspection

(see 13) (see 13)

Vibration (see 14.5) 300 Thermal cycles (see 14.6)

Electrical testing b
Electrical testing b
(see 14.4)
(see 14.4)

Visual inspection Visual inspection

(see 13) (see 13, 14.9 and 14.10)

Microsectioning (see 14.7)

a This validates the repair of each type of device removed and replaced.
b Electrical testing is recommended. It is good practice to perform the vibration and thermal cycling testing under
electrical monitoring
Figure 12: Verification programme flow chart

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14.4 Electrical testing of passive components

When passive components are functionally tested, and when continuity tests on
series-connected packages are made using internal wiring of packages (daisy–
chain):
a. No signal loss shall be accepted.
NOTE 1 When performed, electrical testing can best be conducted
during the complete thermal cycle.
NOTE 2 Devices can be interconnected to multilayered circuit
boards.
b. A drift of less than 10 % of resistance shall be accepted when the continuity
tests are performed at room temperature.
NOTE Devices having soldered connections that cannot be
inspected (due to access, small size or opaque conformal
coating) are expected to be monitored during environmental
testing by electrical test.

14.5 Vibration
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 13.3 shall apply.

14.6 Temperature cycling test

a. ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 13.2 shall apply for the thermal profile.
b. The total number of temperature cycles shall be 500, except for area array
devices with conformal coating when subclause 14.9.2. is applicable.
c. The monitoring thermocouple shall be attached to the surface of the printed
circuit board.
d. Temperature cycling may be performed before the vibration testing. Vibration
testing may be performed after any number of temperature cycles.

14.7 Microsection
a. At least one microsection shall be made after environmental testing on each
type of device, size and process (machine assembly and manual soldering).
NOTE Examples of microsections are shown in subclause 16.4.
b. The microsection shall be done on the device having the worst solder joint
appearance.
NOTE Generally this is on the interconnections closest to the
corners of the device.
c. The microsection shall be made even if all similar devices have no indication
of surface cracks
NOTE The reason is that there can be cracks in the interconnection.
d. The Approval authority shall have access to the microsection.
e. The microsections shall be stored for a period of at least 10 years.
NOTE Stored samples can assist the analysis of in-service failures.

14.8 Dye penetrant test

a. At least one BGA or CGA shall be submitted to a dye penetrant test.
NOTE A typical dye penetrant test is described in C.4.5.
b. The dye penetrant test results and samples shall be stored for a period of at
least 10 years.
NOTE Stored samples can assist the analysis of in-service failures.

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14.9 Special verification testing for conformally coated area array
packages
14.9.1 Introduction
BGA and CGA packages are generally assembled and then conformally coated.
When the conformal coating cannot be removed it prevents the use of dye
penetrant testing.
When the device is conformally coated, as no other test can evaluate all the I/O
connections after environmental testing, a special programme is developed.
NOTE Conformal coatings and underfills can lead to non-inspect-
ability and difficulties for rework or repair.

14.9.2 Provisions
a. When a device is conformally coated, the supplier shall submit a special
programme for approval.
b. The special programme specified in 14.9.2 a. shall consist of vibration testing
in accordance with subclause 14.5 and at least 1 500 thermal cycles in
accordance with subclause 14.6.
c. For devices other than MCGA, a data acquisition system, applying 5 V with
monitoring current limited to 1 mA shall continuously monitor the electrical
continuity of all I/O and for at least 10 cycles every 100 thermal cycles and the
results recorded.
d. The system shall be capable of detecting open circuit durations exceeding
200 ms.

14.10 Failures after verification testing

a. Any electrical failures during or after testing shall invalidate the SMD
verification.
b. In the case of visual failures, an analysis shall be performed to identify the
cause: component or soldering process.
c. In the case of cracked joints, microsections shall be made to evaluate their
depth and origin.
d. Surface and internal cracks that penetrate less than 25 % of the solder fillet
critical zone (as defined in Figure 13), ball or column, shall be considered
acceptable.
e. Cracks present outside the critical zone shall be considered acceptable.
f. Cracks in the intermetallic layer in solder joints to area array devices shall
be considered as not acceptable.
g. After removing the area array device during the dye penetrant test the dye
penetrant shall not cover more than 25 % of the ruptured solder joint area.
NOTE 1 See C.4.5 for an example of dye penetrant test.
NOTE 2 See also clause 16 Figures 54 to 56 for details.

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Passive chip device Device with gull-wing leads

Device with J-leads Bottom terminated device

Device with round, flattened, Castellated chip carrier device

ribbon, L and gull-wing leads

Filled critical zone (see 14.10 d.)

Figure 13: Illustrations defining critical zone in solder fillet

14.11 Approval of verification

a. A letter confirming the completion of a successful verification programme
shall be sent to the contact person of the supplier, with the summary table
specified in Annex B attached to it.
NOTE 1 The letter and the summary table provide evidence of the
verification approval to a third party.
NOTE 2 The approval of verification applies to all space projects from
the date of the approval until withdrawn.
b. Every two years the supplier shall submit an updating of the SMT approval
status.
c. When the materials used, or component types or processing parameters
change, the supplier shall submit for approval to the Approval authority, a
delta-verification programme.

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d. Reference to the summary table number shall be made on each space project
declared processes list in order to assist in achieving project approval.
NOTE See ECSS--Q--70B, Table D--3.

14.12 Withdrawal of approval status

The approval status of the supplier shall be withdrawn when any of the following
status justify its withdrawal:
a. Repetetive supply problems and manufacturing defects.
b. Undeclared changes to the PID.
c. Continuous non--compliance with the PID.

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15

Quality assurance

15.1 General
ECSS--Q--20B shall apply.

15.2 Data
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 14.2 shall apply.

15.3 Nonconformance
ECSS--Q--20--09B shall apply.

15.4 Calibration
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 14.4 shall apply

15.5 Traceability
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 14.5 shall apply.

15.6 Workmanship standards

a. ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 14.6 shall apply.
b. Visual standards consisting of work samples or visual aids that illustrate the
quality characteristics of all soldered connections involved shall be prepared
and be available to each operator and inspector.
NOTE The illustrations presented in clause 16 of this Standard can
be included as part of the examples.

15.7 Inspection
a. During all stages of the process, the inspection points defined in the
manufacturing flow chart shall be carried out.
b. The inspection shall be performed according to clause 13 of this Standard.
c. The inspection shall also include the substrate, components and component
position in accordance with subclauses 11.5.1 to 11.5.8.

15.8 Operator and inspector training and certification

a. ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 14.8 shall apply.

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b. A training programme for operators performing machine soldering shall be
developed, maintained and implemented by the supplier to provide excellence
of workmanship and personal skill in SMTs.
NOTE Records of training, testing and certification status of the
soldering operators are maintained for at least 10 years.
c. Operators performing hand soldering of SMDs, and inspectors of SMD and
mixed-technology assemblies shall be trained and certified at a school
authorised by the final customer.

15.9 Quality records

The quality records shall be made of, as a minimum, the following:
a. PID (including the summary tables and workmanship standards).
b. Audit report established by the approval authority.
c. Verification report, as output of the verification test programme.

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16

Visual and X-ray workmanship standards

16.1 Workmanship illustrations for standard SMDs

16.1.1 Chip components

Figure 14: Preferred solder (see also Table 3)

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Figure 15: Acceptable, maximum solder (see also Table 3)

Figure 16: Unacceptable, poor wetting (see also Table 3)

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Figure 17: Unacceptable - Less than 75 % wetting of terminal edges

(see also Table 3)

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16.1.2 MELF components

Figure 18: Acceptable, minimum solder - Terminal wetted along end, face
and sides (see also Table 5)

Figure 19: Preferred solder (see also Table 5)

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Figure 20: Unacceptable - Excessive solder (see also Table 5)

Figure 21: Unacceptable - Insufficient solder (see also Table 5)

16.1.3 Ribbon, “L” and Gull-wing leaded devices

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C
B
A

A = Acceptable minimum solder

B = Acceptable maximum solder
C = Insufficient solder
Figure 22: Example of flattened leads

Figure 23: Unacceptable - Excessive solder (middle joint)

16.1.4 Miscellaneous soldering defects

Unacceptable -- Solder bridge between terminals Unacceptable -- Solder bridges between terminals

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Unacceptable -- Contaminated joint Unacceptable -- Solder balls

Figure 24: Examples of unacceptable soldering

16.2 Workmanship illustrations for ball grid array devices

Figure 25: Angled-transmission X-radiograph showing solder paste shadow

due to partial reflow: Reject

— non-reflow of solder paste: Reject.

— maximum misplacement (15% of pad ∅): Accept.
Figure 26: Micrograph showing

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Figure 27: Microsection showing partial reflow of solder paste: Reject

2 1

3
3
1

1. missing balls: Reject

2. bridges: Reject
3. non-wetted pads: Reject
Figure 28: Perpendicular transmission X-radiograph showing
unacceptable defects

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Solder has not flowed to extent of teardrop pad: Reject

Figure 29: Perpendicular transmission X-radiograph showing non-wetted
pad

Figure 30: Angled transmission X-radiograph showing non-wetted pad:

Reject

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Figure 31: Microsection through a ball showing non-wetting

of solder to pad: Reject

Figure 32: Microsection through ball showing partial wetting

of solder to pad: Reject

Figure 33: Microsection through ball showing solder bridge: Reject

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Sum of voids in some BGA balls exceeds 25 % of ball’s cross section diameter: Reject
Figure 34: X-radiograph showing many small voids and
solder balls: Reject

16.3 Workmanship illustrations for column grid array devices

Good consistency of column alignment: Accept Missing column: Reject.

Figure 35: Underside view showing

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Figure 36: Side view showing column column by more than 5°: Reject

Figure 37: CGA mounted on PCB showing perpendicular columns centrally

placed on pads: Target condition

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Note: Asymmetry of solder fillets at PCB is consequence of teardrop pads and is acceptable
Figure 38: CGA mounted on PCB showing columns tilted < 5°: Accept

Bent columns (pins): Reject

Solder balls: Reject
Figure 39: X-radiograph of CGA mounted on PCB

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Figure 40: X-radiograph of CGA mounted on PCB showing missing column:

Reject

Figure 41: X-radiograph of CGA mounted on PCB showing

insufficient solder: Reject

Figure 42: X-radiograph of CGA mounted on PCB showing

solder bridge: Reject

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Figure 43: X-radiograph of CGA showing excessive voiding

in solder fillets at base of columns: Reject

Good solder fillets at PCB: Accept

Note: Asymmetry of solder fillets at PCB is consequence of teardrop pads and is
acceptable.
Solder fillets at package undisturbed by reflow process: Accept.
Figure 44: Microsection of CGA mounted on PCB

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Bent column: Reject

Figure 45: Micrograph of CGA mounted on PCB

Unsoldered column: Reject.

Figure 46: Micrograph of CGA mounted on PCB

Figure 47: Microsection of CGA mounted on PCB showing minimum solder:

Acceptable

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Figure 48: Microsection of CGA mounted on PCB showing maximum solder:

Acceptable

16.4 Microsection examples

Device package Microsection

QPF

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Device package Microsection

LC
C

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Device package Microsection

Inwardly
Epoxy
formed L-
mold
shaped

16.5 Accept and reject criteria after environmental testing

Figure 49: Sample after verification sample testing: Microsection of CGA

mounted on PCB showing crack in the solder fillet

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Crack

Fatal
A fatal crack located in the solder joint between the column and the pad. The crack goes through the
whole solder joint: Reject crack
Figure 50: Microsection of a CGA showing a crack

30 %
10 %
crack
crack

Two micro cracks are located in the column insertion to the cartridge.
The extension of the two micro cracks is estimated at 30 % and 10 % of the column diameter, respectively.
The total length of the micro cracks in the column is 40 % of the column diameter (which is more than the
accepted 25 % diametrical crack): Reject
Figure 51: Microsection of CGA showing cracks

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13 % 15 %
2% 2%
crack crack
crack crack

A B C

13 %
8%
crack
crack

neutral point package corner

Two micro cracks are located in each column insertion to the cartridge. The extents of the micro cracks
are estimated at 15 % of column diameter A, 17 % of column diameter B, and 23 % of column diameter
C. The crack extensions are lower than the accepted 25 % diametrical crack. Column A--C: ACCEPT
Note that the largest cracks are located at the column sides closest to the package corner.
Figure 52: Microsection of CGA showing cracks

~15% diametrical
micro crack

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(a) (b) Micro sections where cracks are located at the solder joint between solder ball and component pad on the
package side. The extent of the cracks is above 50% of the ball diameter: REJECT
(c) Micro section after verification test without any micro cracks: ACCEPT
(The arrows show the direction to the neutral point at the centre of the CBGA)
Figure 53: Microsection of CGA showing cracks

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Area darkened
by dye penetrant,
i.e. crack

The figure shows dye penetration on the component pads on a CBGA package. The interconnections remain on the
PCB. The penetrant dye has darkened the area where cracks have been localised after verification testing.
The darkened area is less than 25 % of the total cross sectional area of the original solder joint area: ACCEPT
(The arrow shows the direction to the neutral point (NP) at the centre of the CBGA)
Figure 54: Micrography of CBGA after dye penetration testing

a b

(a) The figure shows remaining interconnections on the PCB after the dye penetrant test. The majority of solder joints
were severely cracked close to the component pads after the verification test.
(b) The close-up figure clearly reveals the cracks, which extend more than 25 % of the solder balls: REJECT
(The arrow shows the direction to the neutral point (NP) at the centre of the CBGA)
Figure 55: Micrography of CBGA after dye penetration testing

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Dye penetrant on a ruptured column. The rupture of the column is localised in the solder joint between the
component pad and the column. The dye penetrant has darkened the area where a crack has been localized after
verification test. The darkened area is more than 25% of the total cross section area of the column: REJECT
Figure 56: Micrography of a column of CBGA after dye penetration testing

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Annex A (informative)

Verification approval

A.1 General
a. The final customer makes the final decision to grant verification status to the
supplier of surface mount technology on the basis of examination and
acceptance of the fully documented verification test report.
b. The verification test results are compiled by the supplier into a test report
data package and contains the results for all the tests specified in clause 14.
c. At this point the surface mount manufacturing processes are established and
frozen and documented in a process identification document (PID) in
accordance with clause 5.

A.2 Methodology of approval

A.2.1 Request for verification
a. The verification of any SMT assembly is restricted to those suppliers that
have been selected to supply equipment for space projects.
b. Each supplier assigns a contact person to be the single point contact for all
SMT matters.
c. The following items are submitted to the approval authority.
1. A letter from the supplier addressed to the approval authority, describing
his experience in SMT and making the request for verification. The letter
is signed by the contact person and the quality assurance manager of the
supplier.
2. A process identification document and product control record relating to
the technology sample.
3. One technology sample of SMT of the highest possible quality, taken from
the assembly line to be verified, not carrying conformal coating (even if the
assembly line normally applies conformal coating) is submitted to the
approval authority for inspection purposes.
NOTE The reason for not carrying conformal coating is that the
sample is inspected.

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A.2.2 Technology sample
The technology sample is inspected at by the approval authority based on the
criteria set out in clause 13.
EXAMPLE For example, visual inspection can determine the cleanli-
ness and workmanship standard. Metallography can be used
to evaluate the SMT connections.

A.2.3 Audit of assembly processing

a. The approval authority informs the supplier of the result of this examination
and advises either acceptance or rejection with the start of the next stages of
the approval process.
b. The audit assembly process is organized during operation of the SMT
processes.
c. The contact person submits the following documents to the approval
authority, prior to or during the audit:
1. Organigram of the company related to the SMT and the quality control
functions.
2. A list of SMT components and connection types, printed circuit board type,
staking compounds and conformal coating to be verified.
3. A description of test capabilities, for example for thermal cycling,
vibration, cleanliness testing and metallographic inspection.
4. A list of personnel who are trained and certified for SMT soldering
processes.
d. The findings of the audit remain confidential to the approval authority, but
a summary report may be issued.
NOTE A typical Audit Report questionnaire is shown in Annex D.

A.2.4 Verification programme

a. A verification programme is submitted to the approval authority for
acceptance prior to the start of assembly of the test SMT.
NOTE At the time of the audit specified in A.2.3, details of the
verification programme can be discussed. See also clause 14.
b. The number of devices per SMT configuration is at least 3, of which one or
more is a repaired configuration.
c. The devices are assembled to the Surface Mount Verification board as
specified in subclause 14.1.
NOTE The number of test samples per SMT configuration can be
reduced if justification exists. Such justification can be, for
example, that the supplier demonstrates that certain devices
can be verified by similarity (see subclause A.2.5).
d. During the environmental test programme, continuous monitoring, by means
of an event detector able to detect events of 1 μs (during the last 5 thermal
cyclings), of the connections by electrical continuity measurements is
preferably applied.
e. After the environmental test programme, analysis of the SMT configurations
includes metallography of the worst case connections.
NOTE d. and e. above are due to the fact that some induced cracks
and failures in connections are not apparent visually.
f. A comprehensive qualification test report is compiled and submitted to the
approval authority by the supplier.

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g. An SMT summary table is submitted with the report.

NOTE Self explanatory examples are presented in Annex B.

A.2.5 Verification by similarity

Several families of SMDs are produced having a wide variation in outline
dimensions. The selection of SMDs that is submitted for assembly to printed
circuit boards and later to the environmental testing prescribed in clause 14 of this
standard does not mean that every size variant is verification tested.
As a result of the large amount of data obtained during past surface mount
technology verification programmes, it is proposed that only the largest and
smallest SMDs belonging to individual families be selected for testing. The
smallest devices ensure that the processing methods are sufficiently dextrous
(i.e. their small size can cause handling or soldering problems). The largest sizes
ensure that thermal fatigue and vibration fatigue do not cause failures.
Due to the very high cost of some space qualified SMDs consideration can be given
to using commercial quality devices and empty packages (specially with internal
“daisy–chained” electrical continuity).

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Annex B (informative)

Examples of SMT summary tables

The following Figures present examples of summary tables for different types of
components verified against the requirements of this Standard.

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Summary table for SMD components verified to ECSS--Q--70--38A
by “Name of company”
1) Assembly Processes: Vapour phase (VP) and Hand Soldering (HS)
2) Process Identification Document (PID): _____________
3) Solder type: Wire Sn63 (HS) and Solder paste Sn62 (VP)
4) Conformal coating: _____________

Company
Body Diagonal Board
verification
SMD class SMD type dimension dimension class
report
(mm) (mm) (∆T=155 °C)
reference
Resistor ceramic RM1005 2,8 × 1,4 3,1 Polyimide
RM2512 6,35 × 3,18 7,1 Class 1

Capacitor ceramic CC0805 2,3 × 1,45 2,7 Polyimide

CC1812 5,0 × 3,6 6,1 Class 1
CC2220 6,2 × 5,5 8,3
Tantalum CWR09 D 3,8 × 2,5 4,5 Polyimide
capacitor CWR09 H 7,2 × 3,8 8,1 Class 1

Tantalum CTC--1B 4,2 × 1,7 4,5 Polyimide

capacitor CTC--1F 6 × 3,8 7,1 Class 1

Diode MELF A 5,05 × 2,62 5,7 Polyimide

Class 1
Diode DO213AB 5,2 × 2,7 5,8 Polyimide
Class 1
Ceramic SMD0.5 10,3x7,64 12,6 Polyimide
transistor Class 1
LCC 3 I/O 3,25 × 2,75 4,3 Polyimide
Class 1
J LCC 28 I/O 11,7 × 11,7 16,5 Polyimide
68 I/O 24,4 × 24,4 34,5 Class 1

CQFP(1)Pitch 1,27 24 I/O 9,4 × 9,4 13,3 Polyimide

Top brazed Class 1
Flat-pack(2) 36 I/O 16,2 × 16,2 22,63 Polyimide
Pitch 0,65 48 I/O 16,3 × 10,2 19,17 Class 1

Plastic component TSOP54 22,6 × 10,2 24,8 Polyimide

manufacturer X Class 1
Connector MHD 300 Polyimide
Class 1

(1) Bonded on corner with: ____________

(2) Bonded on side with: ____________

Name of the Company person responsible: ____________ Date: ____________ Signature ____________

Name of the Final Customer responsible: ____________ Date: ____________ Signature ____________

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Summary table for SMD components verified to ECSS--Q--70--38A

by “Name of the company”
1) Assembly Processes: Vapour phase (VP) and Hand Soldering (HS)
2) Process Identification Document (PID): _______________
3) Solder type: Wire Sn63 (HS) and Solder paste Sn62 (VP)
4) Conformal coating: _______________

Company
Body Diagonal Board
verification
SMD class SMD type dimension dimension class
report
(mm) (mm) (∆T=155°C)
reference
Resistor ceramic RM1005 2,8 × 1,4 3,1 Polyimide
RM2512 6,35 × 3,18 7,1 with
Cu/Mo/Cu
Class 5
Capacitor ceramic CC0805 2,3 × 1,45 2,7 Polyimide
CC2220 6,2 × 5,5 8,3 with
Cu/Mo/Cu
Class 5
Tantalum CTC--1B 4,2 × 1,7 4,5 Polyimide
capacitor CTC--1F 6 × 3,8 7,1 with
Cu/Mo/Cu
Class 5
LCC 3 I/O 3,25 × 2,75 4,3 Polyimide
20 I/O 10,94 × 7,52 13,27 with
Cu/Mo/Cu
Class 5
J LCC 28 I/O 11,7 × 11,7 16,5 Polyimide
68 I/O 24,4 × 24,4 34,5 with
Cu/Mo/Cu
Class 5

Name of the Company person responsible: ____________ Date: ____________ Signature ____________

Name of the Final Customer responsible: ____________ Date: ____________ Signature ____________

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Summary table for SMD components verified to ECSS--Q--70--38A
by “Name of the company”
1) Assembly Processes: Hand Soldering (HS)
2) Process Identification Document (PID): _______________
3) Solder type: Wire Sn63 (HS)
4) Conformal coating: None

Company
Body Diagonal Board
verification
SMD class SMD type dimension dimension class
report
(mm) (mm) (∆T=155°C)
reference
Transistor CFY67--08 4,2 × 4,2 6,9 Duroid
6002
Class 1
Schottky BAS70--71(ES) 12,15 × 1,45 12,2 Duroid
Diode T1 6002
Class 1
Resistor RM0805 2,03 × 1,27 2,5 Duroid
ceramic RM1010 2,54 × 2,54 3,6 6002
Class 1
Chip MPCI--10000 2,67 × 2,79 3,9 Duroid
inductor MPCI--20000 4,2 × 3,94 5,6 6002
Class 1

Name of the Company person responsible: ____________ Date: ____________ Signature ____________

Name of the Final Customer responsible: ____________ Date: ____________ Signature ____________

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Summary table for SMD components verified to ECSS--Q--70--38A

by “Name of the company”
1) Assembly Processes: Hand Soldering (HS)
2) Process Identification Document (PID): _______________
3) Solder type: Wire Sn63 (HS)
4) Conformal coating: _______________

Company
Body Diagonal
Board class verification
SMD class SMD type dimension dimension
(∆T=155°C) report
(mm) (mm)
reference
Resistor RM1005 2,8 × 1,4 3,1 Thermount®
ceramic RM2512 6,35 × 3,18 7,1 polyimide
Class 3
Capacitor CC0805 2,3 × 1,45 2,7 Thermount®
ceramic CC2220 6,2 × 5,5 8,3 polyimide
Class 3
Tantalum CTC--1B 4,2 × 1,7 4,5 Thermount®
capacitor CTC--1F 6 × 3,8 7,1 polyimide
Class 3
J LCC 28 I/O 11,7 × 11,7 16,5 Thermount®
68 I/O 24,4 × 24,4 34,5 polyimide
100 I/O 34,5 × 34,5 48,8 Class 3
Chip MPCI--10000 2,67 × 2,79 3,9 Thermount®
inductor MPCI--20000 4,2 × 3,94 5,6 polyimide
Class 3
INDU SESI 9.1 10,1 × 10,4 14,5 Thermount®
cer/plast polyimide
Class 3
Capacitor PM94S--4 18,3 × 16,9 24,9 Thermount®
Tantalum(1) polyimide
Class 3
Area Grid CCGA 472 29 × 29 41,0 Thermount®
Array 50 mil polyimide
Class 3

(1) Bonded on side with: ______________

Name of the Company person responsible: ____________ Date: ____________ Signature ____________

Name of the Final Customer responsible: ____________ Date: ____________ Signature ____________

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Annex C (informative)

Soldering of area array devices

A--A--
B--B--
C--C--

C.1 General
Only the outer row of solder joints to area array devices can be visually inspected.
Inner rows of solder joints cannot be inspected unless X-ray or X-ray-like
techniques are used but, even using such techniques, it can be difficult to assure
the quality of the solder joints. Reliability of solder joints to area array devices can
only be assured by good process control.
Since it is difficult to rework a single solder joint to an area array device, reworking
of solder joints generally necessitates that the whole component is removed.

C.2 Solder joint requirements

C.2.1 General requirements
a. Requirements in subclauses 11.5.1 and 13.2 apply to area array devices.
b. The rejection criteria specified in 13.3 apply to area array devices.
NOTE The general requirements of solder joints to reflow soldered
components specified in subclause 11.5.1 and 13.2, and the
rejection criteria specified in subclause 13.3, also apply to
area array devices, although it can be difficult to verify
through inspection that the requirements are met.

C.2.2 Voids
C.2.2.1 Overview
Voids are often found to varying extents in solder joints to area array devices. They
can be found adjacent to the PCB solder pad and to the device solder pad. For BGAs
with eutectic solder balls, they can also be found within the main body of the solder
joint. Voids can impact reliability by weakening the solder balls and by reducing
the heat transfer and current-carrying capability. However, there are no industry
data indicating that voids in the solder joint are a reliability concern unless the
voids are very large. In fact, moderately sized voids can cause a slight increase in
the solder joint fatigue life. Still, the presence of voids is an indication of the
necessity of adjusting the manufacturing parameters.

C.2.2.2 Provisions
a. For voids within the ball refer to Table 9 of subclause 11.5.8.

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b. For voids at a solder pad interface refer to Table 9 of subclause 11.5.8.

C.2.3 Solder fillets to high temperature balls

C.2.3.1 Overview
Eutectic solder balls to BGAs completely reflow during the soldering process. That
is, the solder in the solder paste and the solder in the ball are blended making up
the final joint. This is in contrast to high temperature balls, which do not reflow
during the soldering process; see Figure C--1. For this reason, solder joints with
eutectic balls have a very different structure compared to solder joints with high
temperature balls. Whereas the solder paste volume printed on the solder pads on
the PCB has little influence on the geometry of the solder joints for eutectic solder
balls, as long as proper wetting occurs, it does have a large impact on the geometry
of the solder joints for high temperature solder balls. Too much solder paste
increases the risk of bridging between the solder joints, whereas too little solder
paste results in meagre solder joints having a reduced fillet diameter between the
solder pad and the solder ball. Even a slightly reduced fillet diameter can have a
large impact on the fatigue life of the solder joint [6].

C.2.3.2 Provisions
a. The maximum and minimum solder paste volume to be printed on the solder
pads for a BGA device is specified.
b. The volume of solder paste printed on the solder pads is verified before the
BGA device is mounted on the PCB.
NOTE This is because it is very difficult to detect meagre solder
joints even using X-ray inspection techniques.

Figure C--1: Typical CBGA solder joint (high melting point balls)

C.2.4 Solder fillets to solder columns

a. The solder completely fills under the column and forms a fillet that wets at
least 180 degrees of the column circumference.
b. Avoid excess solder paste since it can increase the fillet height and make the
column stiffer resulting in a shorter fatigue life.
NOTE The final solder joint to a solder column often has an
asymmetrical fillet with the columns aligned to the edge of
the solder pads. This also causes the columns to be tilted
(Figure C--2), sometimes in different directions. This is
normal and acceptable. It occurs even if the columns are
centred in the paste prior to the reflow, and it does not affect
the reliability of the solder joint.

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Figure C--2: Tilted columns to a CBGA

C.2.5 Increase of the melting point of solder

C.2.5.1 Overview
During soldering of area array devices with high temperature balls or columns, the
eutectic solder used to solder the devices is enriched with lead. This increases the
effective melting point of the once eutectic solder. The increased melting point
renders reworking more difficult.

C.2.5.2 Provisions
It is good practice to have a solder joint peak temperature of 220 ºC with a
maximum of 235 ºCº. The duration of the solder temperature higher than 183 ºC
is limited to 145 seconds.

C.2.6 Cold solder

The reflow profile used for soldering area array devices is:
a. specified, and
b. assures that the solder reaches high enough temperature that it wets the pad
surfaces for all solder joints and does not leave any cold solder joint.

C.2.7 Brittle fractures

The solder pads on area array devices often have a plating consisting of either
electrolytic nickel or electrolytic gold or electroless nickel or immersion gold
(ENIG). In both cases, the gold is completely dissolved in the solder during
attachment of the balls or columns to the devices. That is, the solder joint is formed
towards a nickel surface. Solder joints to electroless nickel surfaces have been
found to be much more susceptible to catastrophic, brittle fractures than solder
joints to electrolytic nickel and copper surfaces [5]. Analysis indicates that brittle
solder joint fracture occurs under a high level of both applied strain and strain
rate. The fracture occurs between the nickel surface and the solder, i.e. in the
intermetallic layer. Fractures can occur due to thermal shock (too fast cooling after
soldering), bending, mechanical shock or thermal cycling (premature failures).
This can be related to the black pad embrittlement.

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C.3 Removal and replacement of area array devices
C.3.1 General
C.3.1.1 Overview
Removal and replacement are more complicated for grid array devices than for
conventional devices because touch-up of individual joints is not feasible [7], [8].

C.3.1.2 Provisions
When removing and replacing area array devices, the whole package is removed
and replaced with a new one.
NOTE For this removal, special tooling is used. Most removal and
replacement systems are based on a hot-gas reflow tool,
although there are also some infrared systems available.

C.3.2 PCB design guidelines for facilitating removal and

replacement
a. A clearance of 2 mm to 5 mm for reflow nozzles is left around the perimeter
of area array devices to facilitate removal and replacement of the devices.
NOTE The clearance to be left depends on the equipment used for
removal and replacement, and the height of adjacent
components. The given values are generally used. A large
clearance also decreases the risk for reflow of solder joints to
adjacent components.
b. If a stencil is used for printing new solder paste, a clearance of 3 mm to 5 mm
is used.
c. The assembly is preheated before the hot-gas reflow tool is used.
NOTE 1 This is in order to minimize warpage of the PCB and decrease
the stress on the components.
NOTE 2 If a bottom PCB heater is used, it can restrict the type and
sizes of components (if any) that can be placed on the
corresponding area on the opposite side of the PCB.
d. Capacitors and resistors within the clearance zone are removed and replaced
during BGA reworking.

C.3.3 Pre-baking assemblies and devices

a. Assemblies are demoisturized prior to removal and replacement according to
ECSS--Q--70--08A, subclause 7.6.
b. If moisture-sensitive devices are used, these are stored and handled according
to subclause 8.5.

C.3.4 Device removal

a. Preheating is performed prior to the application of hot gas from the top heater,
to a maximum temperature of 10 ºC below the Tg for the PCB material.
NOTE This is crucial for minimizing PCB warpage and thermal
shock. The higher this temperature is, the better, but
without surpassing the limit given in a. above.
b. Each area array device site to be reworked is individually profiled by
monitoring the following points: centre and edge joints of the package,
adjacent packages, and the PCB.
NOTE Thermal profiling is essential for package removal.
Individual profiling is performed due to variations in

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adjacent packages and the heat-sinking properties of the

PCB internal layers.
c. The hot-gas top heater is used to reflow the solder joints.
d. The joints are profiled to 190 ºC minimum (220 ºC maximum if the device has
high temperature balls or columns) prior to applying the vacuum pick-up
force.
NOTE By ensuring that all solder joints are reflowed, lifted PCB
pads can be avoided.
e. The temperature of solder joints to adjacent area array devices is limited to
less than 150 °C.
f. The flow of hot gas is directed onto to the top of the package.
NOTE Deflection of the gas flow underneath the package tends to
create non-uniform solder temperatures across the array
pattern.
g. After removal of the package, solder balls remaining on the board and the
remaining solder are removed.
NOTE The latter has a high lead content if the devices have high
temperature balls or columns and can increase the melting
point of new solder paste.
h. It is good practice to limit the growth of copper-tin intermetallics and warping
during this process.
NOTE This is the process that presents the greatest risk to the PCB.

C.3.5 Device replacement

For soldering a new package to the board, there are several ways to apply the
solder paste, including:
D screen solder paste onto the balls on the area array device,
D screen solder paste onto PCB site,
D solder preforms or decals, and
D dispense solder paste onto PCB site.
The same solder paste volume criteria that apply to initial assembly also apply to
replacement processes. For area array devices having eutectic balls, it is possible
to just apply a flux to the PCB. However, it is expected to use solder paste, since
it increases the stand-off height of the device and thereby also the reliability.
The tooling for reflow soldering of the new package is the same as for package
removal. The rework thermal profile has the same limitations as in initial
assembly. Too much heat applied causes damage to adjacent packages.

C.4 Inspection techniques

C.4.1 Overview
Inspection methods can be split into non-destructive and destructive methods.
Examples of non-destructive methods are visual and X-ray inspections, whereas
microsectioning and dye penetrant analysis are examples of destructive methods.
Obviously, destructive methods can only be used for qualifying processes, not for
quality verification of the final product.

C.4.2 Visual inspection

The traditional method for inspecting solder joints is visual inspection using
magnification aids (see subclause 13.1). Although the solder joints to area array
components are located beneath the component, visual inspection is still a useful
tool for assessing the quality. Basic process control techniques such as PCB

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artwork lines around the periphery of the device site indicate accurate placement,
and measurement of component height can indicate successful reflow for BGAs
with melting balls.
By looking from the side, at least the outer row of solder joints can be inspected.
If other components are soldered close to the area array device, it can be necessary
to use fibre optics or mirrors (endoscopy) to enable visual inspection of all solder
joints in the outer row. Usually, it is possible to see some parts of the solder joints
in the rows just inside the outer row and gross defects such as bridges.

C.4.3 X-ray inspection

The most useful non-destructive methods for inspection of solder joints to area
array devices are X-ray techniques. X-ray techniques can be split into two main
groups: transmission and cross-sectional (laminographic) X-ray techniques. In
transmission X-ray, all features in the vertical “line of sight” are viewed
concurrently without distinguishing front or back. Differences in material
thickness or density result in different transmitted signal attenuations at the
detector. With laminography, the X-ray source and the X-ray image plane are
moved in a coordinated way with respect to the electronic device being inspected.
A clear image of only one layer of the device can thereby be obtained.
Gross defects such as missing solder ball or bridges are easily detected using
transmission X-ray techniques. Inadequate reflow of the solder paste and open
joints are more difficult to detect, but inspecting the device from an angle can
facilitate it. This allows the operator to inspect the shape of the solder connection
as it forms onto the pad to verify that the pad is in contact with the solder ball and
that the solder is completely wetted to the pad. Inadequate reflow of the solder
paste may be seen as a jaggedness around the perimeter of the solder balls.
For BGAs having eutectic solder balls, a tear-drop pad design can improve the
identification of open joints or inadequate reflow [9]. If the solder paste is properly
reflowed and joined with the solder ball, the solder ball have a distorted shape,
which is easily seen in the X-ray image. A tear-drop pad design can be useful also
for the inspection of BGAs having high temperature balls and for CGAs, but that
has not been verified. Since the balls and columns do not reflow for these
components, the distortion of the solder joints can be expected to be less
pronounced.
Still, for thick ceramic devices, boards with a very large number of layers and
components on both side of the board, it can be impossible to inspect all solder
joints using transmission X-ray techniques. Laminography techniques can then
be a useful tool.
X-ray analysis is the only available non-destructive method for the inspection and
detection of void in solder joints to area array devices. However, it is important to
use this technique with caution. Many real time X-ray inspection systems have an
X-ray imaging device that exhibits an aberration called “Voltage Blooming” [5].
The result is that the size of a void is affected by the voltage applied to the X-ray
source. If the system has this type of aberration, a calibration is done by taking
images of solder joints with voids having known sizes.

C.4.4 Microsectioning of solder joints

a. Destructive methods are used to verify the integrity of solder joints to these
devices after verification testing.
NOTE Cracks in solder joints to area array devices are usually very
difficult to detect using visual and X-ray inspection
techniques.
b. The sample is moulded in a resin to alleviate chipping or destruction of the
sample during microsectioning.
c. The resin has an added fluorescent agent.

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NOTE This facilitates the detection of fine cracks in solder joints,

but also in the PCB laminate.

C.4.5 Dye penetrant analysis

a. Dye penetrant analysis is used as follows to analyse the integrity of the solder
joints after verification testing.
1. A low viscosity dye is applied to the sample, which penetrates any cracks
or delaminated areas.
2. The dye is dried and the device is then removed, either by prying it away
or by applying a pulling force at room temperature or higher.
3. The presence of dye on a solder pad indicates that a crack has been formed
prior to the application of the dye. Cracks present in the PCB laminate
beneath solder pads are also be coloured with the dye. Thus, coloured
surfaces beneath solder pads that are ripped off during the removal of the
device indicate the presence of laminate cracks after the verification
testing.
NOTE For further details, see reference [5].

C.5 Verification testing

Due to the lack of stress relief on area array devices, thermo-mechanical stresses
are more effectively transferred into the device and the PCB laminate. This can
cause cracking of conductors connecting the solder pads, of the PCB laminate and
within the device. Such cracking can be cause for rejection. Cracking of the PCB
laminate beneath solder pads improves the fatigue life of the solder joints since it
makes the joint more flexible. Therefore, it can lead to an overestimation of the
fatigue life. That is, the fatigue life can be shorter under more benign conditions
that do not cause cracking of the PCB laminate.

C.6 References

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Annex D (informative)

Example of an SMT audit report

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CONFIDENTIAL once completed page 1(6)

ECSS--Q--70--38A: SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY PROCESS AUDIT REPORT

SECTION 1 COMPANY DETAILS

1. NAME

2. ADDRESS

3. TEL

4. FAX

5. MANAGING
DIRECTOR
6. QUALITY
MANAGER
7. PRODUCTION
MANAGER
8. SMT CONTACT
PERSON

9. SMT PRODUCT
RANGE AND
HISTORY (brief
summary)

10. Numbers of Design QA

SMT operators Engineers

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CONFIDENTIAL once completed page 2 (6)

ECSS--Q--70--38A: SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY PROCESS AUDIT REPORT

SECTION 2 QUALITY SYSTEM

1. QUALITY
MANUAL*

Reference:
Issue:
Date: Viewed: Y N
2. ORGANISATION
OF THE QUALITY
DEPARTMENT FOR
SMT

3. INTERNAL
QUALITY AUDIT
SYSTEM

Reference:
Date of last audit:
Comments: Viewed: Y N
4. NON-CONFOR-
MANCE SYSTEM
Reference:

No. of No. open at Viewed: Y N

NCRs in audit date:
previous 12
months:

5. CURRENT
QUALITY
APPROVALS
Date of last
assessment

6 COMMENT ON
COMMITMENT TO
ECSS--Q--70--38A

7. REFERENCE TO
GENERAL ESA
AUDIT

DATE:

* Note: Request that a copy of the Contents List of the Quality Manual be appended to this report (See Attachment 1).

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CONFIDENTIAL once completed page 3 (6)

ECSS--Q--70--38A: SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY PROCESS AUDIT REPORT

SECTION 3 PROCESS CONTROL

1. SMT APPROVED
(if any)

Make reference to
an existing list of
SMT configurations
considered already
tested.

Identify how the

SMT was tested.

2. Make reference to the procedures that have the following functions and identify current issue and date:
1. Process
instructions
Viewed: Y N
2. Workmanship
acceptance/rejection
criteria
Viewed: Y N
3. Calibration of
SMT tooling
Viewed: Y N
4. Control of
limited shelf-life
materials
Viewed: Y N
5. Material
procurement control
with CofC or
CofTest
Viewed: Y N

3. TRAINING
Make reference to
the procedure for
operator and inspec-
tor training.

Identify the number of

certificated operators
and inspectors.
Viewed: Y N Certificates viewed: Y N

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CONFIDENTIAL once completed page 4 (6)

ECSS--Q--70--38A: SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY PROCESS AUDIT REPORT

CHECK LIST
1. Components storage and 2. Solder paste
kitting area. dispensers

3. Cleanliness in assembly 4. Hand Soldering iron

areas (280_C to 340_C max)

5. Calibration 6. Degolding bath

(250 _C -- 280 _C)
Pretinning
(210 _C -- 260 _C)

7. Lighting 8. Is the soldering

(min 1080 lux) equipment well controlled
(temperature-time profile,
speed control…)

9. ESD protection and control 10. SMT Assembly

Traveller (operator
activities, inspector
stamps)

11. Humidity and temperature 12. Cleaning Equipment

control

13. Magnification aids 14. Cleaning Solvent is:

15. Fume exhaust facilities 16. Cleanliness Testing

(< 1,6 μg/cm2)

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17. PCB drying ovens and 18. Conformal Coating
procedure used

19. Cleanliness in conformal 20. Staking compounds/

coating facilities Adhesives used:

21. Refrigerators: check 22. Bending tools

expiration dates for staking
compounds, conformal coatings

23. Solder alloys used 24. Areas for

Nonconforming Items
(Quarantine)

25. Solder fluxes (internal and 26. Laboratories exist for:

external) used Temperature cycling
Vibration
Electrical testing
Metallography

END OF SECTION 4

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CONFIDENTIAL once completed page 5 (6)

ECSS--Q--70--38A: SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY PROCESS AUDIT REPORT

SECTION 5 DRAFT SUMMARY TABLE (see also Annex B)

1) Assembly Processes: _______________

2) Process Identification Document (PID): _______________
3) Solder type: _______________
4) Conformal coating: _______________

Company
Body Diagonal Board
verification
SMD class SMD type dimension dimension class
report
(mm) (mm) (∆T=155°C)
reference

* Adhesive

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CONFIDENTIAL once completed page 6 (6)

ECSS--Q--70--38A: SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY PROCESS AUDIT REPORT

SECTION 6 FINAL ASSESSMENT

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY LINE AT THE FOLLOWING
SUPPLIER’S FACILITY HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN AND THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS
MADE:

Supplier:

Address:

THE FACILITIES FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY (ACCORDING TO

ECSS Q--70--38 AT THE ABOVE SUPPLIER’S SITE ARE CONSIDERED:

SUITABLE CONDITIONALLY SUITABLE NOT SUITABLE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS/CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL/SUMMARY OF CORRECTIVE

ACTIONS NECESSARY:

NAME SIGN

PROCESS ASSESSMENT CARRIED OUT BY APROVAL AUTHORITY:

IN PRESENCE OF (SUPPLIER):

DATE:
END OF SECTION 6

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Annex E (informative)

Additional information

D--D--
E--E--

E.1 X-Ray inspection equipment (to 6.8.7)

Various X-ray inspection equipment is available for the non-destructible inspec-
tion of SMD joints that are hidden beneath packages. This includes perpendicular
transmission, angled transmission and automatic X-ray laminography systems.
X-ray inspection techniques and detectable defects are described in ESA
STM-261 [1].

E.2 Melting temperatures and choice

Table E--1: Guide for choice of solder type
Solder type Melting range (°C) Uses
Solidus Liquidus
63 tin solder 183 183 Soldering printed circuit boards where tempera-
(eutectic) ture limitations are critical and in applications
with an extremely short melting range. Preferred
solder for surface mount devices.
62 tin silver 179 190 Soldering of terminations having silver and or
loaded silver palladium metallization. This solder com-
position decreases the scavenging of silver sur-
faces.
60 tin solder 183 188 Soldering electrical wire/cable harnesses or ter-
minal connections and for coating or pretinning
metals.
96 tin silver 221 221 Can be used for special applications, such as
(eutectic) soldering terminal posts.
75 indium lead 145 162 Special solder used for low temperature soldering
process when soldering gold and gold-plated
finishes. Can be used for cryogenic applications.
70 indium lead 165 175 For use when soldering gold and gold-plated
finishes when impractical to degold.
50 indium lead 184 210 This solder has low gold leaching characteristic.
10 tin lead 268 290 For use in step-soldering operations where the
initial solder joint must not be reflowed on mak-
ing the second joint (e.g. CGA columns, connec-
tions internal to devices)

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Bibliography

[1] ESA STM-261 An Investigation into Ball Grid Array Inspection Tech-
niques.
[2] ESA STM-265 Evaluation of Thermally Conductive Staking
Compounds during the Assembly of Spacecraft Electronics.
[3] ESA SP-1173 Evaluation of Conformal Coating for Future Spacecraft
Applications.
[4] ESA STM-266 Assessment of the Reliability of Solder Joints to Ball
and Column Array Packages for Space Applications
[5] IPC--7095, Design and Assembly Process Implementation for BGAs, IPC,
August 2000.
[6] P.--E. Tegehall and B. D. Dunn, Impact of Cracking Beneath Solder Pads in
Printed Board Laminate on Reliability of Solder Joints to Ceramic Ball Grid
Array Packages, ESA STM-267, ESA Publications Division, Noordwijk,
2003.
[7] P.--E. Tegehall And B.D Dunn, Assessment of the Reliability of Solder Joints
to Ball And Column Grid Array Packages for Spece Applications,
ESA STM-266, ESA Publications Divisions, Noordwijk, 2003.
[8] P. Wood and H. Rupprecht, BGA and CSP Rework: What is involved? K.
Gilleo (Ed.) Area Array Packaging Handbook, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 2001,
Chapter 19.
[9] M. Wickham, C. Hunt, D.M. Adams and B.D. Dunn, An Investigation into
Ball Grid Array Inspection Techniques, ESA STM-261, ESA Publications
Divisions, Noordwijk, 1999.
[10] ECSS--E--10--03, Space engineering — Testing.
[11] ECSS--Q--70--22, Space product assurance — The control of limited shelf-life
materials.
[12] ECSS--Q--70--28, Space product assurance — Repair and modification of
printed circuit board assumblies for space use.

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ECSS Change Request / Document Improvement Proposal

A Change Request / Document Improvement Proposal for an ECSS Standard may be submitted to the
ECSS Secretariat at any time after the standard’s publication using the form presented below.
This form can be downloaded in MS Word format from the ECSS Website
(www.ecss.nl, in the menus: Standards -- ECSS forms).

ECSS Change Request / Document Improvement Proposal

1. Originator’s name: 2. ECSS Document number:

Organization: 3. Date:

e-- mail:

5. Location of
4. Number. deficiency 6. Changes 7. Justification 8. Disposition
clause page
(e.g. 3.1 14)

Filling instructions:
1. Originator’s name - Insert the originator’s name and address
2. ECSS document number - Insert the complete ECSS reference number (e.g. ECSS--M--00B)
3. Date - Insert current date
4. Number - Insert originator’s numbering of CR/DIP (optional)
5. Location - Insert clause, table or figure number and page number where deficiency has been
identified
6. Changes - Identify any improvement proposed, giving as much detail as possible
7. Justification - Describe the purpose, reasons and benefits of the proposed change
8. Disposition - (Not to be filled in by originator of CR/DIP)

Once completed, please send the CR/DIP by e-- mail to: ecss-- [email protected]

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