Electromigration: the Silent Danger in Electronics

Electromigration -- the silent danger in electronics.

As electronics become smaller and more powerful, more and more current flows through increasingly thinner traces and connections. This can lead to electromigration: the phenomenon where moving electrons slowly displace metal atoms.

The result?

Voids in traces that eventually lead to open connections. Accumulations of material (hillocks) that cause short circuits. In chips (ICs), this has been an important failure mechanism for years. But it can also occur on PCBA's and in solder joints, especially at high currents and temperatures.

That's why engineers need to pay attention to things like: *sufficiently wide traces *material selection (copper instead of aluminium, special alloys) *good thermal management

More background: JEDEC & IPC have guidelines on electromigration and reliability in electronics.