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US5119167A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of improving the corrosion resistance of aluminum contacts on semiconductors

Assignee: STMicroelectronics lnc USA
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Filing: 1988-10-21
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Granted: 1992-06-02
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Expires: 2008-10-21
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Abstract

Abstract A method for improving the corrosion resistance of aluminum in a semiconductor device. The step includes providing a semiconductor device having aluminus containing contact pads; attaching a leadframe to the contact pads; and applying sufficient zinc chromate in solution to the contact pads for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to render said aluminum substantially resistant to corrosion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Timothy E. Turner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 01:46
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W20/00; H10W20/01; H10W20/031; H10W20/064; H10W20/065; H10W20/069; H10W72/00; H10W72/01; H10W72/012; H10W72/20; H10W72/251

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 63 words
A semiconductor article produced by a method which comprises providing a semiconductor device having aluminum containing contact pads; electrically attaching a leadframe to said contact pads; and applying sufficient zinc chromate in solution to said contact pads for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to render said aluminum substantially resistant to corrosion from an atmosphere containing moisture and an ionic species.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 63 words
A semiconductor article produced by a method which comprises providing a semiconductor device having aluminum containing contact pads; electrically attaching a leadframe to said contact pads; and applying sufficient zinc chromate in solution to said contact pads for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to render said aluminum substantially resistant to corrosion from an atmosphere containing moisture and an ionic species.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said zinc chromate in solution comprises an aqueous solution containing from about 0.1% to about 20% zinc chromate based on the weight of the solution component parts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said zinc chromate in solution comprises a saturated solution of zinc chromate in water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said application is conducted wherein said solution is maintained at a temperature of from about 50° C. to bout 100°C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said application is conducted for from about 10 to about 60 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said aluminum containing contact pad is an alloy containing at least about 90% by weight aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
The article of claim 6 wherein said alloy contains from about 0.5% to about 7% by weight copper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
The article of claim 6 wherein said alloy contains from about 0.5% to about 1% by weight silicon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 70 words
The article of claim 1 wherein said zinc chromate in solution comprises an aqueous solution containing from about 0.1% to about 20% zinc chromate based on the weight of the solution component parts; and wherein said application is conducted wherein said solution is maintained at a temperature of from bout 50° C. to about 100° C.; and wherein said application is conducted for from about 10 to bout 60 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 52 words
A semiconductor article which comprises a semiconductor device having aluminum containing contact pads and a leadframe having leads which are electrically attached to a portion of said contact pads, the portion of the contact pads not underlying said leads having a surface which is the reaction product of aluminum and zinc chromate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 52 words
A semiconductor article which comprises a semiconductor device having aluminum containing contact pads and a leadframe having leads which are electrically attached to a portion of said contact pads, the portion of the contact pads not underlying said leads having a surface which is the reaction product of aluminum and zinc chromate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 26 words
The article of claim 10 wherein said leadframe comprises aluminum and the outer surface of said leadframe comprises the reaction product of aluminum and zinc chromate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
The article of claim 10 wherein said aluminum containing contact pads comprise an alloy containing at least abut 90% by weight aluminum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 18 words
The article of claim 12 wherein said alloy contains from about 0.5% to about 7% by weight copper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 18 words
The article of claim 12 wherein said alloy contains from about 0.5% to about 1% by weight silicon.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-06-02 1995-12-02 1996-06-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-06-02 1999-12-02 2000-06-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-06-02 2003-12-02 2004-06-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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