Effect of oxygen dissolved in metal on the strength of Silver–Alumina junctions formed in the solid state

In this study, the strength of the junctions formed by thermal compression of solid silver and alumina is measured using an indirect tensile test. The essential role of the oxygen content in solid solution of metal on the adherence force is particularly highlighted. Our results are analyzed starting from the surfactant effect of oxygen, in solid solution of metal at the interface Ag/Al2O3. It’s clearly shown that an unfavourable couple (weak energy of adhesion) can have an interesting behaviour if the beneficial role of certain elements of additions is taken into account. It is also shown that strong junctions can be obtained while exploiting the initial preparation of metal.

► The junction is strengthened by the presence of oxygen in solid solution.
► The addition of surface-active elements to the interface makes it possible to increase the energy of adhesion.
► An ageing annealing of the assembly under neutral gas or vacuum increases the risk of the interface fracture.