Effects of Fe₂NiO₄ nanoparticles addition into lead free Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu solder pastes on microstructure and mechanical properties after reflow soldering process

Highlights: • Fe₂NiO₄ nanoparticles added into SAC 305 by mechanical mixing to form nanocomposite solder paste. • Nanoparticles in the composite solder travels with flux to the outermost surface after reflow. • The intermetallics compound reduced with the addition of nanoparticles into solder paste. • The hardness increased with the addition of limited percentage of nanoparticles into SAC 305. - Abstract: This study investigates the effects of the addition of Fe₂NiO₄ nanoparticles into a SAC-305 lead-free solder paste. Iron, nickel, and oxide nano-elements were mixed with Pb-free solder alloying elements to produce a new form of nanocomposite solder paste, which can be a promising material in electronic packaging. The SAC-305 was mechanically added with 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 wt.% of Fe₂NiO₄ nanoparticles. The migration of nanoparticles in the nanocomposite solder paste to the outermost surface was clarified using the copper 'sandwich' method, which was performed after the reflow soldering process. Varying amounts of nanoparticles in the SAC-305 affected the IMC thickness and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite solder paste. The IMC thickness was reduced by 29.15%, 42.37%, and 59.00% after adding 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 wt.% of Fe₂NiO₄ nanoparticles in the SAC-305, respectively. However, via nanoindentation method, the hardness of the nanocomposite solder was improved by 44.07% and 56.82% after adding 0.5 and 1.5 wt.% of Fe₂NiO₄ nanoparticles, respectively. If the addition of Fe₂NiO₄ nanoparticle exceeded 1.5 wt.%, the hardness increased infinitely