We have been paying attention to the development of the nondestructive physical analysis (NDPA) technology. We think that NDPA is a technology which doesn't depend on the worker's capability or experience. There are many NDPA techniques, and analysis using X-ray imaging is one of the principal techniques. Due to the progress of the image analysis using computers in recent years, X-ray imaging have been evolving from two dimensional images to three dimensional imaging. We have been applying X-ray CT imaging to actual failure analysis and reliability evaluation since 2008. At ISTFA 2009, we reported on the effectiveness of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) images in the failure analysis. [1] We confirmed that the X-ray CT image had various applications, for example, screening for counterfeit parts, the detection of the defect of the multi-layers printed wiring boards (multi-layers PWB), the structure confirmation of caulking contacts, and the detection of cracks or voids of the solder joint. This paper discusses the effectiveness of X-ray CT imaging in failure analysis and discusses the effectiveness of applying X-ray CT imaging to the propagation of cracks occurring at solder joints during temperature cycling test.

Now we are attempting to apply non destructive analysis from evaluation tests or failure analysis to acceptance tests or production tests. Needless to say non destructive analysis has an advantage of conserving the state of samples and the reducing the time of analysis as compared to conventional methods with destructive physical analysis. Moreover, we are paying attention to the following reasons for nondestructive physical analysis. It is difficult to keep the reproducibility of the analysis because of the high skill level required for destructive physical analysis. On the other hand, high reproducibility can be easily achieved by fixing the condition or parameters of the device during nondestructive analysis when performed by tools like X-ray. Moreover, we expect that neither the analytical result nor the quality of the nondestructive analysis depends upon the worker's capability. In this paper we will discuss the following two items from the viewpoint of quality assurance. 1. The method of the screening for fake parts (1) The procedure flow for the production discontinued parts (2) The comparison and examination between the diagnostic using X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) images and various examinations (3) Other observation cases using X-ray CT images 2. Effectiveness and consideration in reliability evaluation test using X-ray CT image (1) Comparison of observation cases with a variety of jointing points in parts (2) Consideration of application of nondestructive observation technique in reliability test Use of X-ray CT images is effective in diagnosing the quality of the product or the process. Moreover, we find that use of X-ray CT images is effective for the improvement of the reproducibility of the evaluation examination. Then we find that use of X-ray CT images can reduce the time of evaluation examination too.