• Kraleva, I.
• Aldrian, F.
• Morrell, R.
• Supancic, P.
• Bermejo, Raúl

Abstract

<p>In this work, the mechanical response of Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCCs) has been investigated under biaxial loading using the ball-onthree-balls (B3B) test, aiming to reproduce a possible loading scenario during service. The influence of the internal architectures of the LTCCs on the strength of the component has been assessed in four sets of ≈10 × 10 × 0.4 mm3 specimens with different features, located at the centre of the potential tensile surface of the plate (e.g. metal pad, ceramic, metal via). The results have been evaluated using Weibull statistics. The crack propagation behaviour during fracture has been examined on broken specimens by means of a fractographic analysis, aiming to determine the mode of fracture of the components and the role of the internal architecture on the crack path. The results have been compared with bulk LTCCs, taken as a reference. Experimental findings showed different strength values between the tested sets and a different crack path during fracture, depending on the inner architecture within the region of maximum stress. While a straight crack pattern was found for bulk ceramics as well as for LTCCs with mainly ceramic content under the tensile surface, a step-wise fracture (load-steps events in the load-displacement curves) could be observed for LTCCs with metallic layers near the surface.</p>

Topics

• surface
• crack
• strength
• ceramic