An investigation of interfacial interaction has been performed between an industry oriented epoxy molding compound Epoxy Phenol Novolac (EPN) and its filled variety EPNF (with silica particles) and a native silicon dioxide layer (SiO2) usually found at chip surfaces. The free surfaces of both solid materials were experimentally analysed by contact angle measurements of three different liquids (water, methylene-iodide (MI) and glycerol). Results are compared to interfacial energies obtained by analysis of the interfaces in bimaterial molecular models, yielding reasonable agreement. A qualitative prediction regarding the influence of water on the interfacial strength between chip and molding compound is attempted.
Date of Conference: 18-20 April 2011