International Electrotechnical Commission
Glossary

ENintermetallics (purple plague) 
one of several gold-aluminium compounds formed when bonding gold to aluminium and activated by re-exposure to moisture and high temperature (> 340 °C)

NOTE Purple plague is purplish in colour and is very brittle, potentially leading to time-based failure of the bonds. Its growth is highly enhanced by the presence of silicon to form ternary compounds.


TC/SC:47ATerms     Info     Publications
Published in:IEC 60748-23-2, ed. 1.0 (2002-05) Terms     Info
Reference number:3.29

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