The Eyring Model for Accelerated Testing

Sometimes the reaction rate of a process relies on two stresses. For chemical reactions, temperature seems to influence the rate of the reaction. Yet, other stresses such as humidity or voltage may also play a significant role.

H. Eyring suggested a model that assumes the contribution of each stress on the reaction rate is independent; thus one could multiply the respective stress contributions to the rate of reaction.

The Eying model provides a means to account for the contributions of temperature and another stress when modeling the time to failure of select failure mechanisms. [Read more…]

One question that you should consider when planning multiple stress accelerated life test (ALT) is the allocation of test units to the various stresses.

We want to create a model detailing the relationship between stress and time to failure. We also want to project the time to failure estimates to use conditions. Ideally, we test at nominal conditions only and gather time to failure information. We do not have the luxury of time thus explore using ALT.

One method of allocation is to place an equal number of samples with each stress level. Is that the best approach? [Read more…]

Black’s Equation

Black’s equation for estimating the time to failure due to electromigration is a classic. James Black explored and wrote about electromigration in aluminum metallization within semiconductors since 1969.

He and others have explored other materials used as conductors prone to electromigration. Thus, there are a number of models and constants available to match your particular system.

Let’s take a look at the general equation for a microcircuit conductor after a brief description of the failure mechanisms called electromigration. [Read more…]

Metal is a wonderful, strong, material. Yet under certain types of stresses metal can fail One in particular is fatigue due to cyclic motion.

Metals in a solid state have an atomic level lattice structure. This provides the strength and flexibility. It is the flexibility part that causes trouble. We don’t get the benefit of flexibility for free. As the metal bends it ‘adjusts’ the lattice to accommodate the motion. In doing so, it changes the metal properties becoming a bit more brittle, for example.

In most cases a very small motion causes imperceptible changes and loss of functionality. In some cases, like bending a wire coat hanger with the intent to break it, just a few cycles of dramatic bending is enough to break the wire.

In metal applications that experience cyclic motion and the risk of metal fatigue failure may occur during the expected duration of product use, we may need to characterize the time to failure behavior. An accelerated life test for a metal fatigue failure mechanism is not difficult, yet does take some planning to get meaningful results. [Read more…]

Peck’s Relationship

High temperature & humidity is a common test condition. For specific failure mechanisms, there are models available (or you can create a model) to determine the translation from test to use conditions.

These acceleration models generally only apply to one specific failure mechanisms and do not apply to a system level estimate of life. If the failure mechanism is the dominant failure mechanism for the product, then an ALT exploring just that mechanisms would provide a life estimate.

Peck’s relationship is an acceleration model for the effect of humidity on the metallization elements of integrated circuits within plastic enclosures (typically an epoxy over molding).  [Read more…]

The Easy One

The easiest ALT is one that you operate an item more often then operated by the customer. Removing spans of time the item is not being bent, moved, heated, etc allows you to use time compression.

For example, a home kitchen toaster may be used for a few cycles during breakfast time in your home. In the lab, we can avoid having to wait the day of idle time and just make toast more often than just at breakfast to accelerate the operation of a toaster.

Time compression ALT is also easy to understand and describe the acceleration factor to cover the ALT results to field use conditions. Let’s explore a simple example, work out the acceleration factor and how to interpret a set of ALT results. [Read more…]