Can leaded BGA chips be reflow soldered with lead-free process?

I know that using leaded process for lead-free BGA chips is not acceptable, because the solder balls of the BGA will not melt and the joint will be unreliable. But now BGA chip is only available in lead-free balls. is it ok to solder leaded BGA chips with a lead-free (thus, higher temperature) process?

November 1, 2023

Option 1: Talk to your assembler and see if you could use two different temperature processes.

Do the Lead-free profile first (that goes to a higher temperature)
Then, after those parts are done, solder the leaded parts on with a leaded temperature profile.

This satisfies the requirements of both. (you don’t need to worry about stenciling as BGA’s have solder balls)

Option 2

Install lead-free BGA’s with an IR rework station (which also supports temperature profiles). It is more difficult but possible.

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Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.

Oliver Smith

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