Study of elastic moduli of low temperature sintered Ni0.5A0.5Nb2O6 for LTCC (A = Ca, Mg, Cu)

Ni0.5A0.5Nb2O6 (A = Ca, Mg, Cu) columbites have been prepared using sol–gel technique sintered at 900 °C for 6 h as per the firing temperature of LTCC. Structural characterization has been done using X-ray diffraction method and morphology by FESEM. Elastic properties have been characterized for mechanical compatibility toward the application in LTCC technology. Elastic moduli and acoustic Debye temperature were computed employing ultrasonic pulse transmission technique by measuring longitudinal and shear velocities. Porosity correction has been done using Hasselman and Fulrath's formula and estimation using Modi's heterogeneous metal-mixture rule. The variation of elastic moduli was interpreted in terms of strength of interatomic bonding.