Temperature‐dependent fatigue modelling of a novel Ni, Bi and Sb containing Sn‐3.8Ag‐0.7Cu lead‐free solder alloy.

Low‐cycle fatigue testing of a lead‐free solder (InnoLot) based on Sn‐3.8Ag‐0.7Cu (SAC387) with three simultaneous additions of bismuth, nickel and antimony was conducted using miniature‐sized fatigue specimens at different temperatures and strain amplitudes. The experiments show a decline of the load capacity of the solder alloy with the number of loading cycles. The fatigue life of the solder is also decreased by the level of imposed temperature. The temperature‐modified Coffin‐Manson and Morrow models were used to analyse the behaviour under fatigue and predict lifetime. The parameters in the two fatigue models were determined by considering experiments at different temperatures and total strain amplitudes. In comparison with other reference lead‐free solders, the InnoLot solder shows much better fatigue strength. The better fatigue strength is found to result from the effect of BiNiSb elements. Also, lifetime predictions were made with both models for the solder alloy under different conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]