Fabrication and characterization of low temperature co-fired cordierite glass-ceramics from potassium feldspar

Cordierite glass-ceramics for low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrates were fabricated successfully using potassium feldspar as the main raw material. The sintering and crystallization behaviors of the glass-ceramics were investigated by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The results indicated that the glass-ceramics could be highly densified at 850 degrees C and the cordierite was the main crystalline phase precipitated from the glasses in the temperature range between 900 and 925 degrees C. The study also evaluated the physical properties including dielectric properties, thermal expansion and flexural strength of the glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics showed low dielectric constants in the range of 6-8 and low dielectric losses in the range of 0.0025-0.01. The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) are between 4.32 and 5.48 x 10(-6) K-1 and flexural strength of the glass-ceramics are 90-130 MPa. All of those qualify the glass-ceramics for further research to be used as potential LTCC substrates in the multilayer electronic substrate field. Additionally, the excess SiO2 acted as a great role in improving the sinterability of the glasses, and the microstructure and dielectric properties of the relevant glass-ceramics. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.