Adhesion enhancement in Fe-Al2O3 and Cu-Al2O3 metal-ceramic systems induced by ion beam mixing

Abstract

The ion beam mixing technique is well adapted to treat metal-ceramic interfaces under low temperature and non-equilibrium conditions. Using this technique, we have mixed Cu-Al2O3 and Fe-Al2O1 interfaces in order to improve the adhesion. Cu and Fe metallic layers having thicknesses of less than ~ 100 nm were deposited on optical grade polished surfaces of sapphire substrates. Ion beam mixing experiments were performed at room temperature with xenon, krypton, argon, and neon ions of various energies and fluences ranging from 1015 to 4 x 1016 ions per cm2. A linear increase of adhesion with ion mixing was observed for all the ions and systems studied. A strong dependence of adhesion on the energy transfer, controlled by the nature and energy of the incident ions, was observed, allowing us to optimize the adhesion enhancement in the particular case of the Nebombarded Fe-Al2O3 interface. The microstructural and chemical effects induced at the interface during the ballistic phase of the mixing process responsib...