Ceramic processing for microsystem applications

E. Carlström, L. Palmqvist, K. Lindqvist, O. Lyckfeldt

Swedish Ceramic Institute, IVF Industrial Research and Development Corporation, Argongatan 30, SE 431 53 Mölndal, Sweden

The development of processing systems for electronic and microsystem applications is driven by the constant need for higher performance at smaller sizes. Examples of these developments are components with thinner layers such as MLC:s or printed structure with higher resolution such as LTCC structures. There is also a trend towards use of nanosized powders as in SOFC technology and new ceramic materials such as lead-free piezoceramics. Common for these developments is the need to disperse ceramic powders at high solids contents while controlling the rheology of the suspension. The use of newer types of comb polymer dispersants has given ceramic processing a new tool that make s it possible to tailor the suspension properties to a greater extent than before. Combining these dispersants with new types of latex binders it has been possible to create new environmentally friendly tape casting systems that yields high quality tapes.
Screen printing on tape cast layer can be used in combination with lamination to build a whole range electronic of microsystem devices. Rheological characterization combined with wetting measurements has given us a new systematic way to study pastes for screen printing. Our studies have shown that the viscosity alone cannot be used to explain the behaviour of a screen printing paste. To better understand and develop prints with high resolution and reliable quality it is necessary to study the viscoelastic behaviour of the printing pastes.

Keywords

ceramic, processing, tape casting, dispersion