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Zirconium vanadate (ZrV2O7) is a well-known negative thermal expansion (NTE) material that exhibits significant isotropic contraction over a broad temperature range (~150°C < T < 800°C). Therefore, it can be used to create composites with controllable expansion coefficients and prevent thermal stress, fatigue, cracking, and deformation at interfaces. We implement interdisciplinary research to analyze such material. We study the influence of the synthesis methods and their parameters on the sample's purity, crystallinity, and homogeneity. Moreover, we implement ab initio-based vibrational computations with partially treated anharmonicity in combination with experimental methods to follow temperature-induced structural changes and rationalize the negative thermal expansion in this material, including the influence of the local structure disorder.
Zirconium vanadate (ZrV2O7) is a well-known negative thermal expansion (NTE) material which exhibits significant isotropic contraction over a broad temperature range (~150°C < T < 800°C). The linear thermal expansion coefficient of ZrV2O7 is −7.1×10-6 K-. Therefore, it can be used to create composites with controllable expansion coefficients and prevent destruction by thermal shock.
Material characterization, leading to application, requires pure, homogenous samples of high crystallinity via a reliable synthesis route. While there is a selection of described syntheses in the literature, it still needs to be addressed which synthesis route leads to truly pure and homogenous samples. Here, we study the influence of the synthesis methods (solid-state, sol-gel, solvothermal) and their parameters on the sample's purity, crystallinity, and homogeneity. The reproducibility of results and data obtained with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA) were analyzed extensively. The sol-gel method proves superior to the solid-state method and produces higher-quality samples over varying parameters. Sample purity also plays an important role in NTE micro and macro-scale characterizations that explain the impact of porosity versus structural changes.
Moreover, we implement ab-initio-based vibrational computations with partially treated anharmonicity (quasi-harmonic approximation, temperature-dependent effective harmonic potentials) in combination with experimental methods to follow and rationalize the negative thermal expansion in this material, including the influence of the local structure disorder, microstructure, and defects. Khosrovani et al. and Korthuis et al., in a series of diffraction experiments, attributed the thermal contraction of ZrV2O7 to the transverse thermal motion of oxygen atoms in V-O-V linkages. In addition to previous explanations, we hypothesize that local disorder develops in ZrV2O7 crystals during heating.
We are working on the experimental ZrV2O7 development and discuss difficulties one might face in the process as well as high-quality sample significance in further investigation. The obtained samples are currently used in the ongoing research of structure analysis and the negative thermal expansion mechanism.
Zirconium vanadate (ZrV2O7) is a well-known negative thermal expansion (NTE) material which exhibits significant isotropic contraction over a broad temperature range (~150°C < T < 800°C). The linear thermal expansion coefficient of ZrV2O7 is −7.1×10-6 K-. Therefore, it can be used to create composites with controllable expansion coefficients and prevent destruction by thermal shock.
Material characterization, leading to application, requires pure, homogenous samples of high crystallinity via a reliable synthesis route. While there is a selection of described syntheses in the literature, it still needs to be addressed which synthesis route leads to truly pure and homogenous samples. Here, we study the influence of the synthesis methods (solid-state, sol-gel, solvothermal) and their parameters on the sample's purity, crystallinity, and homogeneity. The reproducibility of results and data obtained with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA) were analyzed extensively. The sol-gel method proves superior to the solid-state method and produces higher-quality samples over varying parameters. Sample purity also plays an important role in NTE micro and macro-scale characterizations that explain the impact of porosity versus structural changes.
Moreover, we implement ab-initio-based vibrational computations with partially treated anharmonicity (quasi-harmonic approximation, temperature-dependent effective harmonic potentials) in combination with experimental methods to follow and rationalize the negative thermal expansion in this material, including the influence of the local structure disorder, microstructure, and defects. Khosrovani et al. and Korthuis et al., in a series of diffraction experiments, attributed the thermal contraction of ZrV2O7 to the transverse thermal motion of oxygen atoms in V-O-V linkages. In addition to previous explanations, we hypothesize that local disorder develops in ZrV2O7 crystals during heating.
We are working on the experimental ZrV2O7 development and discuss difficulties one might face in the process as well as high-quality sample significance in further investigation. The obtained samples are currently used in the ongoing research of structure analysis and the negative thermal expansion mechanism.
Zirconium vanadate (ZrV2O7) is a well-known negative thermal expansion (NTE) material which exhibits significant isotropic contraction over a broad temperature range (~150°C < T < 800°C). The linear thermal expansion coefficient of ZrV2O7 is −7.1×10-6 K-1. Therefore, it can be used to create composites with controllable expansion coefficients and prevent destruction by thermal shock.
Material characterization, leading to application, requires pure, homogenous samples of high crystallinity via a reliable synthesis route. While there is a selection of described syntheses in the literature, it still needs to be addressed which synthesis route leads to truly pure and homogenous samples. Here, we study the influence of the synthesis methods (solid-state, sol-gel, solvothermal) and their parameters on the sample's purity, crystallinity, and homogeneity. The reproducibility of results and data obtained with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA) were analyzed extensively. The sol-gel method proves superior to the solid-state method and produces higher-quality samples over varying parameters. Sample purity also plays an important role in NTE micro and macro-scale characterizations that explain the impact of porosity versus structural changes.
Moreover, we implement ab-initio-based vibrational computations with partially treated anharmonicity (quasi-harmonic approximation, temperature-dependent effective harmonic potentials) in combination with experimental methods to follow and rationalize the negative thermal expansion in this material, including the influence of the local structure disorder, microstructure, and defects. Khosrovani et al. and Korthuis et al., in a series of diffraction experiments, attributed the thermal contraction of ZrV2O7 to the transverse thermal motion of oxygen atoms in V-O-V linkages. In addition to previous explanations, we hypothesize that local disorder develops in ZrV2O7 crystals during heating.
We are working on the experimental ZrV2O7 development and discuss difficulties one might face in the process as well as high-quality sample significance in further investigation. The obtained samples are currently used in the ongoing research of structure analysis and the negative thermal expansion mechanism.
Destructive and non-destructive 3D-characterization of inner metal structures in ceramic packages
(2023)
Ceramic multilayer packages provide successful solutions for manifold
applications in telecommunication, microsystem, and sensor technology. In such packages, three-dimensional circuitry is generated by combination of structured and metallized ceramic layers by means of tape casting and multilayer technology. During development and for quality assurance in manufacturing, characterization of integrity, deformation, and positioning of the inner metal features is necessary.
Visualization with high resolution and material contrast is needed.
Robot-assisted 3D-materialography is a useful technique to characterize such multimaterial structures. In that, many sections of the specimen are polished and imaged automatically. A three-dimensional representation of the structure is created by digital combination of the image stack. A quasi non-destructive approach is to perform X-ray computer tomography (CT) with different beam energies. The energies are chosen to achieve a good imaging of either the metal features, or the ceramic matrix of the structure. The combination of the respective tomograms results in a high contrast representation of the entire structure. Both methods were tested to characterize Ag and Ag/Pd conductors in a ceramic multilayer package. The results were compared in terms of information content, effort, and applicability of the methods.
Dielectric breakdown of insulators is a combined electrical, thermal, and mechanical failure. The exact breakdown mechanism in ceramics and the formulation of useful models are still subject of investigation. Recent studies highlighted that several experimental aspects of dielectric breakdown strength testing affect the test results, and thus impede the recognition of fundamental principles.
Excess field strength near the electrode can lead to premature breakdown in the insulating liquid. This would cause superficial damage to the test specimen and thus falsify the measurement results.
The field strength distribution is influenced by the ratio of permittivity of the sample and the surrounding insulating liquid. Premature breakdown depends on the breakdown strength of the liquid and the actual test voltage. The test voltage again depends on the specimen thickness.
To systematically investigate these relations, a numerical simulation study (FEM) of the electric field distribution in a typical testing rig with cylindrical electrodes was performed. The permittivity of the sample and the insulating liquid was parameterized, as well as the sample thickness. The electric field distribution was calculated for increasing test voltage. Field strength maxima are compared to experimental breakdown strength of typical insulating liquids and experimental breakdown locations on alumina. Strategies are discussed to adjust the insulation liquid and the sample thickness to reduce the influence of the testing setup on the dielectric breakdown strength results.
Roughening of zirconia dental implants is a common clinical practice to improve ingrowth behavior. It depends on the manufacturer of the implant at which stage of the manufacturing process and by which method the surface is roughened. Systematic studies on this topic are rarely found in the literature. Therefore, the influence of surface treatment on the strength of a dental zirconia was investigated as part of a research project on the development of ceramic implants. The material under test was a commercial zirconia consisting of a Y-TZP matrix and Ce-TZP inclusions in the sintered state. This material is characterized by a slightly higher fracture toughness and slightly reduced strength compared to typical 3Y-TZP. Sets of samples were sandblasted in the white-fired or sintered condition. The ball-on-three-ball-strength of these samples was measured and compared to the strength of as-fired samples and polished samples. The complete study was performed two times for validation of the results. It is found that the average strength of TZP ceramics differs by almost 500 MPa depending on the surface treatment. Conventionally sintered specimens with as-fired surface exhibit a strength of 880 MPa. Sandblasting in the white fired state reduces the strength to 690 MPa. Both polishing and sandblasting in the sintered condition result in an increase in strength to about 1180 MPa. Comparative microstructural investigations, roughness measurements and X-ray phase analyses were carried out to determine the causes of these huge differences in strength. These findings may challenge the practice of white body surface treatment and give reason for further investigations on other commercial dental TZP materials.
The dielectric breakdown strength of ceramics strongly depends on the test conditions. Thus, standardized test procedures and thorough documentation are indispensable. However, during dielectric strength testing the breakdown often occurs near the electrode edge or even outside the specified electrode area. This behavior is similarly observed for printed and cylindrical electrodes. The aim of the presented study was to calculate the electric field strength distribution in a ball-on-plate testing setup for metallized samples and to correlate the field distribution with the observed breakdown locations. Small misalignments in the test setup were also considered in the simulations. Furthermore, the field strength at the breakdown Location should be compared to the experimentally determined dielectric strength. Therefore, Finite Element Models of several test conditions with varying printed electrode areas and sample thicknesses were created and electrostatic calculations of the electric field Distribution were performed. The simulation results were compared to experimental data. Alumina (96 %) was used as test material. The calculations show that the electric field strength maxima match the experimentally observed locations of breakdown. Without any fitting of the model, the maximum calculated field strength is in reasonable agreement with the experimental dielectric strength. The FE analysis is a helpful tool to understand the observations in experimental dielectric strength testing.
Ceramic springs combine attractive properties for applications in machinery, metrology, and sensor technology. They are electrically insulating, non-magnetic, provide a linear stress-strain behavior, and are stable at high temperatures and in corrosive environments. Generally, the precise dimensioning of a ceramic spring with respect to the spring constant is challenging. Different models are described, but many of these calculations do not match the actual spring properties. We demonstrate a reliable approach for the dimensioning and manufacturing of helical compression springs with a rectangular winding cross-section. Based on the German standard DIN 2090, which is referring to metallic springs, the spring constant can be calculated based on shear modulus, diameter, height, widths, and number of windings. Different ceramic springs were produced by milling of sintered hollow cylinders of zirconia, alumina and silicon nitride. The experimental spring constants are in very good agreement with the calculated values. Spring constants of zirconia springs were varied over three orders of magnitude between 0.02 N/mm and 5 N/mm by purposeful adaption of the spring geometry. The combination of dimensioning based on DIN 2090 and precise hard machining offers a reliable technology for the fabrication of tailored ceramic springs for special applications.
The 5G technology promises real time data transmission for industrial processes, autonomous driving, virtual and augmented reality, E-health applications and many more. The Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) technology is well suited for the manufacturing of microelectronic components for such applications. Still, improvement of the technology such as further miniaturization is required. This study focuses on the characterization of inner metallization of LTCC multilayer modules, especially on the vertical interconnect access (VIA). Critical considerations for this characterization are delamination, pore clustering in and at the edge of the VIA, deformation, and stacking offset. A LTCC multilayer consisting of a glassy crystalline matrix with silver based VIAs was investigated by synchrotron x-ray tomography (CT). The aim of this study is to propose a multitude of structural characteristic values to maximize the information gained from the available dataset. Data analysis has been done with the open source software ImageJ as well as several additional plugins. The high-resolution CT data was evaluated through 2D slices for accessibility reasons. The segmentation of all 2000 slices to assess the different regions e.g. pores, silver and glass ceramic was done by a supervised machine learning algorithm. A quantitative evaluation of shape, deformation, and porosity of the VIA with respect to its dimensions is presented and the suitability of the characterization approach is assessed.
Practical breakdown voltage calculations using dielectric breakdown strength reference values
(2020)
Dielectric breakdown is a catastrophic failure of ceramic substrates and insulators. The use of dielectric breakdown strength (DBS) reference values for the dimensioning of such components is not straightforward, as the DBS depends on sample thickness and electrode area. This fact also hampers a valid comparison of data taken from different literature sources. Based on the empirically confirmed proportionality of DBS to the reciprocal square root of sample thickness and an approach to account for the influence of electrode area on the failure probability, a practical equation is derived to calculate the breakdown voltage for arbitrary sample thickness and electrode area from one set of DBS reference data. To validate the equation, the AC DBS of commercial alumina substrates with thicknesses ranging from 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm was performed using different printed electrodes with varying areas. The breakdown voltages comprise a range from 18 kV for thick samples to 8.5 kV for thin samples, resulting in DBS values from 17 kV/mm for 1.0 mm thick samples to 29 kV/mm for 0.3 mm thin samples, all made from the same material. The influence of electrode area is comparatively smaller. The results calculated with the proposed equation are in reasonable accordance with the measured data. Thus, the equation can be applied for a proper comparison of literature DBS data measured in different setups and for a reasonable estimation of breakdown voltages in DBS tests and applications based on reference data.
Ceramic springs offer versatile possibilities for load bearing or sensor applications in challenging environments. Although it may appear unexpected, a wide range of spring constants can be implemented by material selection and especially by the design of the spring. Based on a rectangular cross-section of the windings, it is possible to design a spring geometry that generates the desired spring constant simply by choosing appropriate diameter, height, widths, and number of windings. In a recent research project the calculation of helical compression springs made of rectangular steel (German standard DIN 2090) was applied for the design of ceramic springs. A manufacturing technology has been worked out to fabricate such springs from hollow cylinders of several highly dense technical ceramics by milling. Ceramic springs with precise rectangular section, without edge damage, and mean surface roughness smaller than 0.2 µm were produced after parameter optimization. Tolerances of less than 10 µm were achieved regarding spring diameter, height, and width of cross section. It is shown that the calculations outlined in the standard are valid for a variety of ceramic materials as well. Demonstrator springs with a wide range of spring constants have been fabricated, including zirconia springs with 0.02 N/mm, alumina springs with 1 N/mm and Si3N4 springs with 5 N/mm. A reproducibility study of six zirconia springs with a constant of 0.3 N/mm showed a relative difference in spring constants of less than +/- 1 %. This combination of a valid calculation approach for spring geometry and a reliable manufacturing technology allows for purposeful development and fabrication of ceramic springs with precise mechanical properties and superior chemical stability.
The ProboStat is a multi-purpose measurement cell suitable for various electrical and physical measurements under different atmospheres and at high temperatures. Disc and bar shaped samples are sandwiched between platinum electrodes at the top of the tubular cell. The gas tight assembly can be inserted into a furnace. Different gases can be flushed through the tube. For this study, a ProboStat was adapted to measure volume resistivity of ceramic insulators at high temperatures according to standards.
The standardized measurement of volume resistivity of ceramic insulators requires the consideration of many specifications including sample diameter, thickness, electrode design, and the proportion of these characteristics. Measurements are ideally performed in a state of dielectric equilibrium. The time-related slope of resistivity of a specific sample follows a power function. Thus, care must be taken when choosing a charge time or defining the duration of a measurement. As fringing of the guarded electrode occurs under high voltage, the effective electrode area for evaluation of the results should be corrected with respect to sample thickness and electrode design. The demands of effective standards on sample geometry and electrode design are stricter for room temperature measurements than for high temperature measurements.
To perform high temperature measurements on ceramic samples that also fulfill the demands on room temperature measurements, a ProboStat was equipped with a dedicated large sample setup for discs with diameters of up to 60 mm. The volume resistivity of different alumina samples was first measured at room temperature in a standard test fixture and then compared to results obtained with the ProboStat. All measurements were performed for at least 100 min using a 26 mm guarded electrode. High temperature measurements at 500 °C were performed using the same samples. Room temperature values obtained with the standard test fixture are in the order of 10^17 Ohm·cm. The quantitative effect of electrode area correction is presented. Practical issues related to the use of the multi-purpose cell are addressed. These include electrode material selection, application of electrodes, and compensation of leakage currents. High temperature results of volume resistivity of the different alumina samples are presented. The validity is discussed with respect to the suitability of the multi-purpose cell for such measurements.
Dielectric breakdown of ceramics is widely believed to originate from microstructural defects. Still, there is no commonly accepted model for the origin and process of dielectric failure that covers all observed phenomena and dependencies. In analogy to mechanical strength, the Weibull distribution is commonly used to evaluate dielectric strength data. This works well for a given group of specimens with constant geometry. But unlike mechanical strength, dielectric strength scales with the inverse square root of sample thickness. This cannot be explained by the classic Weibull concept. The Griffith type energy release rate model of dielectric breakdown proposed by Schneider is based on space charge injection and conducting filaments from the sample surface. This model incorporates the distinct thickness dependence and the pronounced influence of surface defects. Based on this model and the classic Weibull probability of failure, Schneider’s group theoretically derived a probability of breakdown that predicts an increase of failure probability with increasing electrode area. In our study we tested this model with dielectric strength data measured on dense alumina samples using different electrode areas. Weibull modulus and characteristic dielectric strength (scale parameter) were determined for a set of measurements using small electrodes. These values were used to calculate the failure probability under large electrodes according to the model. The calculated data excellently fits the measured values. Thus, our experiments substantiate the assumptions made in the breakdown model and the significance of surface defects for dielectric failure.
Today, more than 12% of the primary energy is lost in the form of waste heat. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) can convert waste heat directly into electrical power by utilizing the Seebeck effect. The performance of such a generator is defined by a dimensionless figure of merit ZT of the thermoelectric pairs and the resistance R of the metallic contacts between these pairs. The figure of merit of thermoelectric oxides is considerably smaller compared to semiconductors. Still, thermoelectric oxides like calcium cobaltite (Ca3Co4O9) are attractive for applications at elevated temperatures in air. In contrast to the established π-type architecture of common TEGs, tape casting and multilayer technology may be applied for cost-effective manufacturing of oxide TEGs. Promising demonstrations of multilayer TEGs have been published in the last years. Still, the development of reliable and scalable manufacturing processes and proper material combinations is necessary. The aim of our project is to evaluate the feasibility of low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology for a practical manufacturing of oxide multilayer TEGs of Ca3Co4O9 (p-type) and calcium manganate (CaMnO3, n-type). Ca3Co4O9 exhibits an undesired phase decomposition at 926 °C. Because of that, the application of sintering strategies and interconnect concepts well known from LTCC technology is a promising approach. We present results of pressure-assisted sintering of Ca3Co4O9 multilayer at 900 °C and axial pressures of up to 7.5 MPa. Ca3Co4O9 was produced by solid state reaction of CaCO3 and cobalt(II,III)oxide at 900 °C. Green tapes were prepared by a doctor-blade process, manually stacked and laminated by uniaxial thermocompression. Sintering was conducted in a LTCC sintering press between SiC setter plates. The thickness shrinkage was recorded by an in-situ technique. After sintering under 7.5 MPa, the microstructure of the single phase material shows a high density of 95 % and an advantageous alignment of the platelet grains. This results in good electrical conductivity and a comparatively high ZT of 0.018 at room temperature. However, the lowering of CaMnO3 sintering temperature from above 1200 °C to below 920 °C remains a challenge. To select a proper metal paste for interconnections of an oxide TEG, several pastes have been investigated regarding contact resistance of internal and external (soldered) connections in a preliminary study. Commercial pastes containing Ag, Au, Au/Pt, Ag/Pd, and Ag/Pd/Bi were manually applied and post-fired on sintered test bars of Ca3Co4O9 and CaMnO3 at 900 °C for 2 h. All tested pastes formed mechanically stable metallization after firing. For resistance measurement, 4-wire method and a custom-made probe head were used. The contacts on Ca3Co4O9 exhibit significantly (2-sample t-test, α = 5%) higher resistance compared to contacts on CaMnO3. Pure silver paste exhibits the lowest resistance for internal contacts on both materials, lower than 5 mΩ on CaMnO3. Ag/Pd/Bi paste resulted in conspicuously high variance of resistance. EDX analyses clarified an enrichment of Bi in the thermoelectric material near the interface and thereby the formation of an oxide layer with probably high electrical resistance. The thickness of that layer varies with the thickness of metallization. In conclusion, the use of Bi containing pastes is not advisable. Pure Ag paste shows the best results regarding resistance and solderability.
Dielectric strength testing of ceramics is simple and yet challenging. The execution of a breakthrough voltage measurement of a given sample is fast and straightforward. ASTM D149 describes the standardized procedure. But, there are versatile effects of test conditions and sample properties that affect the result of such a measurement. As one example, ASTM D149 allows different sizes of test electrodes and does not unambiguously prescribe the condition of the electrodes. Thus, different electrode configurations are used in the field. We conducted several test series on alumina samples to comprehensively quantify the effect of test conditions and sample properties on dielectric strength results. In our study, testing of alumina substrates using different electrode configurations resulted in differences of mean values of up to 20%. Further test series on alumina focused on the effect of voltage ramp rate. The results are complemented by calculations of failure probability at different voltage levels and corresponding withstand voltage tests. We conclude that a communication and comparison of single dielectric strength values is insufficient and may be misleading. A meaningful comparison of dielectric strength studies from different sources requires a thorough consideration of test conditions.