Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Palladium-Coated Copper Wires with Flash Gold

Palladium-coated copper wire with flash gold (PCA) is a fine wire with an oxidation resistance layer. A new sulfidation test has been assessed in this work, confirming that PCA wires show better sulfidation corrosion resistance than either palladium-coated or bare copper wires. The sulfided surface of PCA was analyzed, along with its bonding strength and electrical properties. The metallurgic mechanism for formation of free air balls during the electric flame-off (EFO) process was identified. The flash gold layer of PCA wires can improve certain shortcomings, including: (1) efficiently promoting sulfidation corrosion resistance, (2) solving the problem of palladium segregation during the EFO process, (3) reducing the starting voltage, and (4) stabilizing the electrical resistivity of the bonding interface.