A comparison of metal-in-elastomer connectors: the influence of structure on mechanical and electrical performance

Types A, B, and C metal-in-elastomer connectors are compared, and their electrical performance is explained as a function of the physical dimensions, structure, and materials properties. The type A connector consists of a translucent silicone rubber-based elastometric matrix with spherical conductive particles prealigned within the elastomer in the z-direction. The type B connector is composed of a transparent elastometric matrix with straight wires aligned in the z-direction with a total thickness of about 0.0195 in. The type C connector has a square pattern of bundles of curved Au/Ni plated stainless steel wires embedded in a transparent elastometric matrix. The testing was done using a board-to-board application scenario. Some of the observations are general and may be applicable to other systems, chip to package, flexible circuit to board, etc. The understanding of the structure performance correlation enables interconnection system designers to consider possible malfunction causes and failure models