Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Scanning Acoustic Microscopy

Over the years, our experience in C-SAM testing has allowed us, among other things, to have conversations with clients who have come to us with questions about our laboratory services. 

In ALTER, we are an expert and reliable supplier in the engineering and testing EEE components and equipment for space and other technology markets. We offer a wide range of services, from parts procurement to equipment testing, including radiation, packaging design, assembly, screening, destructive physical analysis, qualification, environmental testing, failure analysis, obsolescence management, evaluation of counterfeits, and many more. 

The Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM) Lab has been responsible for the Acoustic Microscopy tests for 15 years. 

Our extensive experience has allowed us to perfect our procedure, providing quality tests and results to our customers. The Acoustic Microscopy tests allow us to analyze the integrity of the internal structure of components and find defects such as delaminations, cracks, and voids in a non-destructive way.  

A baking oven is also located at the Scanning Acoustic Microscopy lab to perform soft baking after performing SAM. 

The last equipment acquired by the Scanning Acoustic Microscopy lab is a Thermo Mechanical Analyser (TMA), a fundamental technique to avoid (during the design and fabrication stage) and foresee anomalies related to the deformation of packages with temperature. Thus, this is a very effective tool to disclose and screen out possible reliability concerns associated with the thermo-mechanical integrity and stability of the devices. The TMA technique provides accurate information about the material’s coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CTE), shrinkage, softening, glass transition temperature (Tg), among others.