Large Thermal Expansion LTCC System for Cofiring with Integrated Functional Ceramics Layers

We have studied the sintering behavior of CT708 LTCC tapes with large CTE of 10.6 ppm/K. This low-k dielectric LTCC material is a quartz-based glass ceramic composite system with partial crystallization of celsian upon firing. The shrinkage, densification and dielectric properties were examined using different heating rates and a sintering temperature of 900 °C. The maximum shrinkage rate is at 836 °C (for a heating rate of 2 K/min) with a sintering density of 95% and a permittivity of ε’ = 5.9 and tan δ = 0.0004 (at 1 GHz). Due to their similar shrinkage and thermal expansion properties, CT708 tapes may be cofired with functional ceramic layers. As an example, we report on cofiring of a multilayer laminate of CT708 and a Sc-substituted hexagonal ferrite for applications as integrated microwave circulator components. This demonstrates the feasibility of cofiring of functional ceramic tapes and tailored LTCC tapes and documents the potential for the realization of complex LTCC multilayer architectures.

The Effect of A-Site Cation on the Formation of Brannerite (ATi2O6, A = U, Th, Ce) Ceramic Phases in a Glass-Ceramic Composite System

ABSTRACTA range of stoichiometric and mixed A-site cation brannerite glass-ceramics have been synthesised and characterised. The formation of UTi2O6 in glass is reliant on ensuring all uranium remains tetravalent by processing in an inert atmosphere. ThTi2O6 forms in glass under both inert and oxidising atmospheres due to the lack of other easily available oxidation states. CeTi2O6 could not be made to form within this glass system. The formation of A0.5B0.5Ti2O6 phases depends strongly on the oxidation states of the A and B cations available in the process atmosphere, with the most successful compositions having an average final oxidation state of (A,B)4+. Mixed cation brannerite compositions that formed in argon include U0.75Th0.25Ti2O6 and U0.71Ce0.29Ti2O6. Those forming in air include U0.23Th0.77Ti2O6, Th0.37Ce0.63Ti2O6, and U0.41Ce0.59Ti2O6.