Patent ID: 7989358

Claim:
A method of preventing the formation and propagation of backside surface micro cracks in a silicon chip or wafer to a front surface thereof, at which said chip or wafer is adapted for operative connection with components to form electronic package arrangement; said method comprising: applying at least one protective crack prevention and scratch-resistant material to a backside surface of said chip or wafer during a process of forming said electronic package arrangement so as to inhibit the forming of micro cracks in said chip or wafer while being subjected to high temperatures during said forming process and thermal cycling encountered in the operation of the electronic package arrangement, said at least one protective crack prevention and scratch-resistant material being essentially a film layer possessing a high degree of fracture toughness which is adhered to the backside surface of said chip or wafer; said film layer being selected from the group of materials consisting of WSi 2 , Al alloys, tungsten, SiC, Si and composites thereof.