Proceedings of the 2007 International Manufacturing Science And Engineering Conference
MSEC2007
October 15-17, 2007, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

MSEC2007-31170

 


Pressure-Assisted Sintering of Nanocrystalline Silver Lines produced by Laser Ablation of Microparticle Aerosols

 

Desiderio Kovar
Center for Nano & Molelcular Science and Technology
Materials Science and Engineering Program
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712 USA
dkovar@mail.utexas.edu

Andre D. Albert
Center for Nano & Molelcular Science and Technology
Materials Science and Engineering Program
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712 USA
drdre@mail.utexas.edu

Michael F. Becker
Center for Nano & Molelcular Science and Technology
Materials Science and Engineering Program
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712 USA
becker@uts.cc.utexas.edu

John W. Keto
Center for Nano & Molelcular Science and Technology
Materials Science and Engineering Program
Department of Physics
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712 USA
keto@utaphy.ph.utexas.edu

 


Abstract
The Laser Ablation of Microparticle Aerosol (LAMA) process provides a method for generating high yields of aerosolized nanoparticles (NPs) that are then accelerated through a nozzle and impacted onto substrates.  The process allows nanostructured films and patterned lines to be directly written onto substrates at room temperature.  Using the LAMA process, we have demonstrated the ability to produce thick patterned deposits with densities ranging from 60-70% in the as-deposited state.  After deposition, the lines were densified using pressure-assisted sintering and the microstructures and strengths of the films were investigated.  Pressure-enhanced sintering resulted in densification and strong bonding at processing temperatures of 100-175°C and pressures of 100-600 MPa. Mechanisms for sintering at low temperatures are discussed.