Model Systems for Metal-Ceramic Interface Studies

Abstract

Metal-ceramic composite applications range from electronic devices such as electronic packaging, thin-film technology in microwave circuitry, and magnetic storage media to catalyst supports, protective coatings, and high-temperature structural components. These applications rely heavily on the ability to engineer the mechanical and electronic properties of metal-ceramic interfaces. To understand fundamental aspects of these interfaces, a variety of experimental and theoretical studies on “model systems” have been performed, correlating macroscopic material behavior and microscopic characteristics. The results serve as a guide to more complex systems, with a closer relationship to technological applications.