PCB Related Field Failures with ImAg Surface Finishes

PCB surface finishes like Immersion silver (ImAg) are commonly used in Pb-free manufacturing environments following RoHS legislation. With this transition, however the numbers of field failures associated with electrochemical migration, copper sulphide corrosion, via barrel galvanic corrosion are on a steady rise. More often than not ImAg surfaces seem to assist these failing signatures. As computers penetrate into emerging markets with humid and industrialized environments there is a greater concern on the reliability and functionality of these electronic components.