Some Fundamental Corrosion Problems Associated with Electronic Materials and Devices

The corrosion phenomena encountered in electronic materials and devices are basically the same as those found with other metals and alloys and with structures of all types and shapes. However, the small dimensions and, in certain situations, the applied voltages encountered in microelectronic devices may cause complete failure with only a minute amount of corrosion, as, e.g., in the electrolytic corrision of conductor stripes. Similarly, small amounts of tarnishing due to atmospheric corrosion of electrical contacts or connectors may lead to unacceptably high noise levels in high-reliability communications systems.