Interactions between lead oxide and ceramic substrates for thick film technology

This paper deals with the mechanisms and kinetics of interactions between screen printed and fired PbO layers and ceramic substrates: alumina and beryllia. The interaction with alumina occurs via two main processes: (i) a reaction between PbO and Al₂O₃ grains, which induces the formation of a crystalline phase, Pb₂Al₂O₅; and (ii) an interdiffusion process involving Pb and the intergranular amorphous phase in the ceramic substrate. This latter process results in a compositional change of the intergranular phase at considerable depths inside the ceramic substrate, as well as in the formation of a high lead glass layer on the substrate surface. Since PbO is not completely reacted, the Pb penetration in the ceramic is diffusion limited (penetration depth , where t_d is the reaction time) with an activation energy of 1.20 ± 0.05 eV. The ceramic microstructure significantly affects the interaction processes.