9
Reflow Profile
The reflow profile is a straight
line representation of a nominal
temperature profile for a convec-
tive reflow solder process. The
temperature profile is divided into
four process zones, each with
different ∆T/∆time temperature
change rates. The ∆T/∆time rates
are detailed in the above table.
The temperatures are measured at
the component to printed-circuit
board connections.
In process zone P1, the PC
board and HSDL-3000
castellation I/O pins are heated to
a temperature of 125°C to
activate the flux in the solder
paste. The temperature ramp up
rate, R1, is limited to 4°C per
second to allow for even heating
of both the PC board and
HSDL-3000 castellation I/O pins.
Process Zone Symbol ∆T Maximum ∆T/∆time
Heat Up P1, R1 25°C to 125°C4°C/s
Solder Paste Dry P2, R2 125°C to 170°C 0.5°C/s
Solder Reflow P3, R3 170°C to 230°C (245°C max.) 4°C/s
P3, R4 230°C to 170°C–4°C/s
Cool Down P4, R5 170°C to 25°C–3°C/s
0
t-TIME (SECONDS)
T – TEMPERATURE – (°C)
200
170
125
100
50
50 150100 200 250 300
150
183
230
P1
HEAT
UP
P2
SOLDER PASTE DRY P3
SOLDER
REFLOW
P4
COOL
DOWN
25
R1
R2
R3 R4
R5
90 sec.
MAX.
ABOVE
183°C
MAX. 245°C
Process zone P2 should be of
sufficient time duration (> 60
seconds) to dry the solder paste.
The temperature is raised to a
level just below the liquidus point
of the solder, usually 170°C
(338°F).
Process zone P3 is the solder
reflow zone. In zone P3, the
temperature is quickly raised
above the liquidus point of solder
to 230°C (446°F) for optimum
results. The dwell time above the
liquidus point of solder should be
between 15 and 90 seconds. It
usually takes about 15 seconds to
assure proper coalescing of the
solder balls into liquid solder and
the formation of good solder
connections. Beyond a dwell time
of 90 seconds, the intermetallic
growth within the solder connec-
tions becomes excessive, result-
ing in the formation of weak and
unreliable connections. The
temperature is then rapidly
reduced to a point below the soli-
dus temperature of the solder,
usually 170°C (338°F), to allow
the solder within the connections
to freeze solid.
Process zone P4 is the cool
down after solder freeze. The
cool down rate, R5, from the
liquidus point of the solder to
25°C (77°F) should not exceed
–3°C per second maximum. This
limitation is necessary to allow
the PC board and HSDL-3000
castellation I/O pins to change
dimensions evenly, putting mini-
mal stresses on the HSDL-3000
transceiver.