IPC Compliance Testing (IPC Compliance)

Confirmation of insufficient hole-fill (same as image above). Suspect pin targeted for cross-sectioning. Transistor Through-Pin showing hole-fill approximately 58%, which is a defect (class 2, 3) per IPC-A-610G, sec 7.3.5.1.

IPC Compliance testing and destructive physical analysis (DPA) provide comprehensive screening for quality assurance and comprise the best-known method to identify design or production issues in electronics assemblies, components, and fabricated boards.

This procedure includes a complete program of analytical methods and procedures for characterizing modern electronic boards.

Strengths

Package of analyses delivers comprehensive quality assessment for electronics boards
Robust documentation of compliance standards and procedures
Total characterization enables complete defects identification

Limitations

Time-intensive characterization program
Extensive expertise required to perform analytical steps properly

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Example Outputs Instruments Used How IPC Compliance Works

IPC Compliance Testing Services

IPC Compliance Testing

IPC Compliance testing and destructive physical analysis (DPA) provide comprehensive screening for quality assurance and comprise the best-known method to identify design or production issues in electronics assemblies, components, and fabricated boards.

This procedure includes a complete program of analytical methods and procedures for characterizing modern electronic boards.

Sample Requirements

Circuit boards and electronics assemblies only

Example Outputs

Q2 Through-Pin transistor displayed. One pin shows incomplete hole-fill per IPC-A-610G, sec 7.3.5. Acceptability to be determined by cross-sectioning (see next image).

Confirmation of insufficient hole-fill (same as image above). Suspect pin targeted for cross-sectioning. Transistor Through-Pin showing hole-fill approximately 58%, which is a defect (class 2, 3) per IPC-A-610G, sec 7.3.5.1.

SMT connector showing acceptable alignment and heel fillets per IPC-A-610G, sec 8.3.5 for all three classes of product.

BGA solder joints showing acceptable solder ball size, shape, and spacing per IPC-A-610G, sec 8.3.12 for all three classes of product.

Irregular shaped BGA solder joint, which is a process indicator per IPC-A-610G, sec 8.3.12.3 for collapsing balls for class 2 & 3 products.

Press-Fit connector showing no damaged pins, which is acceptable per IPC-A-610G, sec 9.10 for all three classes of product.

C1 SMT Capacitor showing fractured solder (heel fillet crack), which is a defect per IPC-A-610G, sec 5.2.9 for all three classes of product.

BGA solder joint showing a Head in Pillow (HiP) condition, which is a defect per IPC-A-610G, sec 8.3.12 for all three classes of product.

Instruments Used

Experts Only

Instrument(s) used during preparation and analysis vary based on the scale of features to be analyzed and the required resolution limit.

Please contact us for more details.

How IPC Compliance Works

This procedure includes a complete program of analytical methods and procedures for characterizing modern electronics boards, including: external macro- and micro-optical investigation and 2D X-ray Inspection of the entire board or assembly, followed by visual evaluation and Mechanical Cross-Sectional Analysis at specific pin locations and via holes identified on suspect components.

This testing package is executed in accordance with applicable sections of IPC-A-610F for assemblies or IPC-A-600H for board fabrication, which outline the standards for acceptability conditions tested at each component location.

Covalent’s team of experts have more than 20 years of experience with best practices in DPA methods and are certified by the IPC to provide compliance analysis, failure analysis, and quality evaluations.