Recent Component Solderability Test Enhancements

Critical parameters of the MIL-STD-202 Method 208 and MIL-STD-883 Method 2003 component solderability tests were determined from laboratory experiments. Among the variables examined were steam ager atmosphere, steam ager water quality, component drying, flux quantity, static versus wave pots and visual inspection variability. The test results indicate that one of the most important variables is steam ager atmosphere. This was evaluated by vapour temperature vs metal coupon weight gain. Other critical parameters are the drying process and inspection method. Experimental data for some parameters suggest necessary changes to the relevant Military-Standard test methods. These changes are proposed based on the experimental work presented, and would improve correlation of solderability test results between suppliers and users.