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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Interface effects on the adhesion of thin aluminum films

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/505282· OSTI ID:505282

Differences in the adhesion and fracture toughness of aluminum films on sapphire due to the presence of controlled contaminants are being investigated. Adhesion is evaluated by use of nanoindentation and continuous scratch tests. A comparison was made of the properties of textured thin films of aluminum (178 to 1890 nm) that were vapor deposited onto (0001) oriented sapphire substrates. A very thin (10 {angstrom}) layer of carbon was deposited at the interface of selected samples prior to the vapor deposition of the aluminum. Spalling was observed during continuous scratch testing in specimens with carbon at the interface but not in specimens without carbon at the interface.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
505282
Report Number(s):
SAND--97-8566C; CONF-970302--17; ON: DE97052835
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English