Semiconductor devices - Mechanical and climatic test methods - Part 24: Accelerated moisture resistance - Unbiased HAST

IEC 60749-24:2025 specifies unbiased highly accelerated stress testing (HAST). HAST is performed for the purpose of evaluating the reliability of non-hermetically packaged solid-state devices in humid environments. It is a highly accelerated test which employs temperature and humidity under non-condensing conditions to accelerate the penetration of moisture through the external protective material (encapsulant or seal) or along the interface between the external protective material and the metallic conductors which pass through it. Bias is not applied in this test to ensure that the failure mechanisms potentially overshadowed by bias can be uncovered (e.g. galvanic corrosion). This test is used to identify failure mechanisms internal to the package and is destructive. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) rearrangement of clauses to reposition requirements; b) addition of two notes to the post-test electrical procedures.

Halbleiterbauelemente - Mechanische und klimatische Prüfverfahren - Teil 24: Beschleunigte Feuchtigkeitsbeständigkeit - Unvoreingenommene Hast

Dispositifs à semiconducteurs - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques et climatiques - Partie 24: Résistance à l'humidité accélérée - HAST sans polarisation

L'IEC 60749-24:2025 spécifie un essai fortement accéléré de contrainte d’humidité (HAST, Highly Accelerated Stress Testing) sans polarisation. L’essai HAST est réalisé dans le but d’évaluer la fiabilité des dispositifs à l’état solide sous boîtiers non hermétiques dans des environnements humides. Il s’agit d’un essai fortement accéléré qui utilise une température et une humidité dans des conditions sans condensation, pour accélérer la pénétration d’humidité à travers le matériau de protection extérieur (agent d’enrobage ou de scellement) ou par l’interface entre le matériau de protection extérieur et les conducteurs métalliques qui le traversent. La polarisation n’est pas appliquée dans cet essai pour s’assurer que les mécanismes de défaillance potentiellement éclipsés par la polarisation puissent être découverts (la corrosion galvanique, par exemple). Cet essai destructif est utilisé pour identifier les mécanismes de défaillance internes au boîtier. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente: a) réorganisation des articles pour repositionner les exigences; b) ajout de deux notes aux procédures électriques après l’essai.

Polprevodniški elementi - Metode za mehansko in klimatsko preskušanje - 24. del: Povečana odpornost na vlago

General Information

Status
Not Published
Publication Date
15-Jan-2026
Current Stage
6055 - Ratification Completed (DOR) - Publishing
Start Date
01-Jan-2026
Completion Date
01-Jan-2026

Relations

Effective Date
23-Jul-2024

Overview

EN IEC 60749-24:2026 is a critical international standard published by the CLC organization that defines the methods for mechanical and climatic testing of semiconductor devices, specifically focusing on accelerated moisture resistance via Unbiased Highly Accelerated Stress Testing (HAST). This test is designed to evaluate the reliability of non-hermetically packaged solid-state devices when exposed to high humidity and temperature conditions, replicating harsh operating environments.

Unbiased HAST accelerates the penetration of moisture through the device’s external protective layers, such as encapsulants and seals, by applying elevated temperature and humidity under non-condensing conditions. Importantly, no electrical bias is applied during this test, enabling the identification of failure mechanisms that might be masked under biased conditions, such as galvanic corrosion inside the package. This standard serves as a destructive test method, offering manufacturers and testers a robust framework to understand moisture-induced failure modes effectively.

Key Topics

  • Test Objective: Assess moisture ingress and related failure mechanisms in semiconductor packages, focusing on unbiased conditions to uncover subtle corrosion or interface-related failures.
  • Test Environment: Controlled temperature and relative humidity with non-condensing atmosphere to avoid irrelevant external failures like corrosion on leads or pin-to-pin leakage.
  • Test Conditions: Utilizes specific temperature and humidity profiles, typically involving elevated temperatures of 110°C to 130°C combined with 85% relative humidity under positive pressure.
  • Test Apparatus: Requires specialized chambers capable of maintaining precise temperature, humidity, and pressure profiles, with recorded monitoring to ensure reproducibility and adherence to tolerances.
  • Procedure Highlights:
    • Test samples mounted to minimize temperature gradients.
    • Ramp-up time limited to under 3 hours, ensuring no condensation occurs.
    • Ramp-down conducted carefully to avoid rapid depressurization artifacts.
    • Use of distilled or deionized water to prevent ionic contamination.
  • Failure Criteria: Defines how to identify moisture-related failure mechanisms internally within the semiconductor package after exposure.
  • Technical Changes: This second edition includes clause rearrangement and additional notes on post-test electrical procedures enhancing clarity and procedural consistency.

Applications

EN IEC 60749-24:2026 provides essential guidelines for:

  • Semiconductor Manufacturers: To enhance design robustness by testing devices under accelerated moisture stress, ensuring better quality and reliability of plastic-encapsulated and other non-hermetic packages.
  • Reliability Engineers: For evaluating product durability in humid and thermally challenging environments resembling real-world applications.
  • Quality Assurance Teams: To implement standardized, internationally accepted test methods that support qualification and failure analysis protocols.
  • Component Test Labs: To adopt consistent and reproducible test setups aligned with this global standard, supporting industry-wide benchmarking.
  • Automotive, Consumer Electronics, and Industrial Electronics Sectors: Where devices are exposed to variable environmental stresses, this standard helps safeguard against premature failures caused by moisture ingress.

By applying EN IEC 60749-24:2026, stakeholders achieve predictive insights into moisture resistance, reducing risks and enhancing device longevity.

Related Standards

This standard complements and references several key IEC documents essential to semiconductor testing:

  • IEC 60749-33: Accelerated moisture resistance - Unbiased autoclave test methods, offering alternative moisture resistance evaluation techniques.
  • IEC 60749-5: Steady-state temperature humidity bias life test, serving as a reference method where bias is applied, supporting comprehensive moisture resistance testing strategies.
  • IEC 60749 Series: The overarching series covering various mechanical and climatic test procedures for semiconductor devices, ensuring holistic stress testing coverage.

Utilizing EN IEC 60749-24 alongside these related standards ensures a well-rounded reliability assessment framework capable of addressing modern semiconductor device challenges in diverse environments.


Keywords: EN IEC 60749-24, semiconductor devices, unbiased HAST, accelerated moisture resistance, mechanical and climatic test methods, semiconductor reliability testing, non-hermetic packages, moisture ingress, temperature humidity stress test, failure mechanism identification, IEC semiconductor standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

EN IEC 60749-24:2026 is a draft published by CLC. Its full title is "Semiconductor devices - Mechanical and climatic test methods - Part 24: Accelerated moisture resistance - Unbiased HAST". This standard covers: IEC 60749-24:2025 specifies unbiased highly accelerated stress testing (HAST). HAST is performed for the purpose of evaluating the reliability of non-hermetically packaged solid-state devices in humid environments. It is a highly accelerated test which employs temperature and humidity under non-condensing conditions to accelerate the penetration of moisture through the external protective material (encapsulant or seal) or along the interface between the external protective material and the metallic conductors which pass through it. Bias is not applied in this test to ensure that the failure mechanisms potentially overshadowed by bias can be uncovered (e.g. galvanic corrosion). This test is used to identify failure mechanisms internal to the package and is destructive. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) rearrangement of clauses to reposition requirements; b) addition of two notes to the post-test electrical procedures.

IEC 60749-24:2025 specifies unbiased highly accelerated stress testing (HAST). HAST is performed for the purpose of evaluating the reliability of non-hermetically packaged solid-state devices in humid environments. It is a highly accelerated test which employs temperature and humidity under non-condensing conditions to accelerate the penetration of moisture through the external protective material (encapsulant or seal) or along the interface between the external protective material and the metallic conductors which pass through it. Bias is not applied in this test to ensure that the failure mechanisms potentially overshadowed by bias can be uncovered (e.g. galvanic corrosion). This test is used to identify failure mechanisms internal to the package and is destructive. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) rearrangement of clauses to reposition requirements; b) addition of two notes to the post-test electrical procedures.

EN IEC 60749-24:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 31.080.01 - Semiconductor devices in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN IEC 60749-24:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 60749-24:2004. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN IEC 60749-24:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN IEC 60749-24:2025
01-februar-2025
Polprevodniški elementi - Metode za mehansko in klimatsko preskušanje - 24. del:
Povečana odpornost na vlago
Semiconductor devices - Mechanical and climatic test methods - Part 24: Accelerated
moisture resistance - Unbiased hast
Halbleiterbauelemente – Mechanische und klimatische Prüfverfahren - Teil 24:
Beschleunigte Feuchtigkeitsbeständigkeit – Unvoreingenommene Hast
Dispositifs à semiconducteurs - Méthodes d'essais mécaniques et climatiques - Partie
24: Résistance à l'humidité accélérée - Hast sans polarisation
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60749-24:2024
ICS:
31.080.01 Polprevodniški elementi Semiconductor devices in
(naprave) na splošno general
oSIST prEN IEC 60749-24:2025 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN IEC 60749-24:2025
oSIST prEN IEC 60749-24:2025
47/2863/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60749-24 ED2
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2024-09-06 2024-11-29
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
47/2858/RR
IEC TC 47 : SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
Korea, Republic of Mr Cheolung Cha
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):
TC 91,TC 104
ASPECTS CONCERNED:
Environment,Safety
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING

This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which t hey are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some Countries” clau ses to
be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is the final stage for submitting ISC
clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Semiconductor devices - Mechanical and climatic test methods - Part 24: Accelerated moisture resistance -
Unbiased HAST
PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2030
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National Committee positions. You
may not copy or "mirror" the file or printed version of the document, or any part of it, for any other purpose without permis sion in
writing from IEC.
oSIST prEN IEC 60749-24:2025
47/2863/CDV – 2 – IEC CDV 60749-24 © IEC 2004
CONTENTS
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Test requirements . 5
4 Test apparatus . 6
4.1 Test chamber . 6
4.2 Records . 6
4.3 Devices under stress . 6
4.4 Ionic contamination . 6
4.5 Distilled or deionized water . 6
5 Test conditions . 6
6 Procedure. 7
6.1 Mounting . 7
6.2 Ramp-up . 7
6.3 Ramp-down . 8
6.4 Test clock . 8
6.5 Electrical tests . 8
6.6 Handling . 8
7 Failure criteria . 8
8 Safety . 8
9 Summary . 9

Table 1 – Temperature, relative humidity, and pressure . 7

oSIST prEN IEC 60749-24:2025
IEC CDV 60749-24 © IEC 2004 – 3 – 47/2863/CDV
1 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
2 ____________
4 SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES –
5 MECHANICAL AND CLIMATIC TEST METHODS –
7 Part 24: Accelerated moisture resistance – Unbiased HAST
10 FOREWORD
11 1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
12 all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
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41 8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
42 indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
43 9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
44 patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
45 IEC 60749-5 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 47: Semiconductor devices. It is
46 an International Standard.
47 This second edition, based on JEDEC document JESD22-A118B.01, cancels and replaces the
48 first edition published in 2004. lt is used with permission of the copyright holder, JEDEC Solid
49 State Technology Association. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
50 This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
51 edition:
52 a) rearrangement of clauses to reposition requirements;
53 b) addition of 2 notes to the post-test electrical procedures.

oSIST prEN IEC 60749-24:2025
47/2863/CDV – 4 – IEC CDV 60749-24 © IEC 2004
54 The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
47/XX/FDIS 47/XX/RVD
56 Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
57 the above table.
58 The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
59 This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
60 accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement,
61 available at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by
62 IEC are described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
63 A list of all parts of the IEC 60749 series, under the general title Semiconductor devices –
64 Mechanical and climatic test methods, can be found in the IEC website.
65 The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
66 stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
67 specific document. At this date, the document will be
68 • reconfirmed,
69 • withdrawn,
70 • replaced by a revised edition, or
71 • amended.
oSIST prEN IEC 60749-24:2025
IEC CDV 60749-24 © IEC 2004 – 5 – 47/2863/CDV
74 SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES –
75 MECHANICAL AND CLIMATIC TEST METHODS –
...

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