ASTM F1269-13

5.1 Failure of microelectronic devices is often due to the failure of an interconnection bond. The most common type of interconnection bond is the thermosonic gold or copper wire bond. A very important element of this interconnection is the first bond or ball bond. These test methods can assist in maintaining control of the process for making ball bonds. They can be used to distinguish between weak and nonadherent ball bonds, of both, and bonds that are acceptably strong.

5.2 These test methods are appropriate for on-line use in process control, for process development, for purchase specifications, and for research in support of improved yield and reliability. Since the ball shearing method tests only the first bond in a microelectronic wire bond interconnection system, it must be used in a complementary fashion1.1 These test methods cover tests to determine the shear strength of a series of ball bonds made by either thermosonic or thermal compression techniques using either gold or copper wires.