Abstract: Ceramic green sheets of controlled microporosity and method of making same have been provided. Controlled microporosity is achieved by including certain ionic species in the ceramic composition, particularly boron, phosphorus and copper oxide.

Abstract: An in situ stabilizing tool provides a stress relieved, ceramic green sheet for green sheet screened stability. A green sheet stablilization system uses air bearings as a means of conveying a continuous ceramic green sheet web in a frictionless and stress free state. Solvent vapor stabilization of green sheets in a continuous mode adjusts solvent concentration in the air bearing using a solvent bubbler. Solvent vapor is generated from a group of solvents (e.g. hydrocarbons, water, etc.) that can be vaporized and used to solvent plasticize the ceramic green sheets to achieve stress relaxation. Take up loops and sensors adjust for longitudinal shrinkage during the green sheet relaxation process.

Abstract: The cracking experienced during thermal cycling of metal:dielectric semiconductor packages results from a mismatch in thermal co-efficients of expansion. The non-hermeticity associated with such cracking can be addressed by backfilling the permeable cracks with a flexible material. Uniform gaps between the metal and dielectric materials can similarly be filled with flexible materials to provide stress relief, bulk compressibility and strength to the package. Furthermore, a permeable, skeletal dielectric can be fabricated as a fired, multilayer structure having sintered metallurgy and subsequently infused with a flexible, temperature-stable material to provide hermeticity and strength.

Abstract: The cracking experienced during thermal cycling of metal:dielectric semiconductor packages results from a mismatch in thermal co-efficients of expansion. The non-hermeticity associated with such cracking can be addressed by backfilling the permeable cracks with a flexible material. Uniform gaps between the metal and dielectric materials can similarly be filled with flexible materials to provide stress relief, bulk compressibility and strength to the package. Furthermore, a permeable, skeletal dielectric can be fabricated as a fired, multilayer structure having sintered metallurgy and subsequently infused with a flexible, temperature-stable material to provide hermeticity and strength.

Abstract: The cracking experienced during thermal cycling of metal:dielectric semiconductor packages results from a mismatch in thermal co-efficients of expansion. The non-hermeticity associated with such cracking can be addressed by backfilling the permeable cracks with a flexible material. Uniform gaps between the metal and dielectric materials can similarly be filled with flexible materials to provide stress relief, bulk compressibility and strength to the package. Furthermore, a permeable, skeletal dielectric can be fabricated as a fired, multilayer structure having sintered metallurgy and subsequently infused with a flexible, temperature-stable material to provide hermeticity and strength.

Abstract: The cracking experienced during thermal cycling of metal:dielectric semiconductor packages results from a mismatch in thermal co-efficients of expansion. The non-hermeticity associated with such cracking can be addresssed by backfilling the permeable cracks with a flexible material. Uniform gaps between the metal and dielectric materials can similarly be filled with flexible materials to provide stress relief, bulk compressibility and strength to the package. Furthermore, a permeable, skeletal dielectric can be fabricated as a fired, multilayer structure having sintered metallurgy and subsequently infused with a flexible, temperature-stable material to provide hermeticity and strength.

Abstract: A method for co-sintering ceramic/metal multi-layered ceramic substrates wherein X-Y shrinkage is controlled and X-Y distortion and Z-direction chamber are substantially eliminated. Binder-burnoff is substantially not aggravated during this process as well. The process is accomplished by applying selective forces to the surfaces of the ceramic substrates to control lateral movement while allowing Z direction shrinkage movement. Frictional force means, pneumatic forced means and weights are among the means used to supply forces. Cerium oxide is used in certain embodiments to enhance binder-burnoff.

Abstract: A multilayered ceramic (MLC) substrate having embedded and exposed conductors suitable for mounting and interconnecting a plurality of electronic devices exterior thereof. The horizontal planar conductors comprise substantially a plurality of solid, non-porous, homogeneous metal patterns, whereas the vertical interplanar connection conductors are substantially porous metal conductors that are formed by methods such as screening. The process to form the MLC substrate involves forming a pattern of solid, nonporous conductors to a backing sheet having a release layer, then transferring the pattern to a ceramic green sheet. Zero X-Y shrinkage sintering processes allow the MLC substrate and solid metal conductors to be densified without distortion of the solid metal patterns or the ceramic.

Abstract: In a maskless metal cladding process for plating an existing metallurgical pattern, a protective layer is utilized to isolate those areas of underlying metallurgy on which additional metal plating is not desired. The layer acts as an isolation barrier to protect the underlying metallurgy from deposition and subsequent diffusion of the heavy metal overlay. The composition of the protective layer is selected as one having sufficient mechanical integrity to withstand process handling and support the gold overlay and having the thermal integrity to withstand the high temperatures reached during metal sputtering and diffusion processes. The isolation barrier layer has an organic component as a binder which thermally decomposes, either in a heating step before metal deposition or during the diffusion cycle, leaving no carbonaceous residue but leaving an inert, inorganic standoff to support the metal.

Abstract: Sintering of metal particles at their normal sintering temperature is inhibited by coating the metal particles with an organic material such as polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formvar, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile epoxies, urethanes and cross-linked polyvinyl butyral. The organic coating serves as a barrier preventing physical contact between metal particles during the initial phase of the sintering cycle and degrades into a carbonaceous coating followed by volatilization during the intermediate phase of the cycle permitting coalescence of the metal particles into a dense mass along with the coalescence of the glass-ceramic particles. Co-sintering of the metal particles and the glass-ceramic particles with the aid of the organic coating results in a hermetic multi-layer glass ceramic substrate free of dimensional stability problems without deleteriously affecting the electrical conductivity of the metal conductor pattern.

Abstract: In a process for forming elements from a slurry that includes particulate ceramic and/or glass, an organic binder resin, and a solvent for the resin, where the element is shaped from the slurry, and the element heated to remove the organic materials of the slurry and subsequently fuse the ceramic and/or glass particles, the improvement comprised of coating the ceramic and/or glass particles prior to forming the slurry with a surface modification compound selected from the group consisting of organo silanes, organo silazanes, titanium chelates, titanium esters, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A multilayered ceramic (MLC) substrate having embedded and exposed conductors suitable for mounting and interconnecting a plurality of electronic devices exterior thereof. The horizontal planar conductors comprise substantially a plurality of solid, non-porous, homogeneous metal patterns, whereas the vertical interplanar connection conductors are substantially porous metal conductors that are formed by methods such as screening. The process to form the MLC substrate involves forming a pattern of solid, nonporous conductors to a backing sheet having a release layer, then transferring the pattern to a ceramic green sheet. Zero X-Y shrinkage sintering processes allow the MLC substrate and solid metal conductors to be densified without distortion of the solid metal patterns or the ceramic.

Abstract: Sintering of metal particles at their normal sintering temperature is inhibited by coating the metal particles with an organic material such as polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formvar, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile epoxies, urethanes and cross-linked polyvinyl butyral. The organic coating serves as a barrier preventing physical contact between metal particles during the initial phase of the sintering cycle and degrades into a carbonaceous coating followed by volatilization during the intermediate phase of the cycle permitting coalescence of the metal particles into a dense mass along with the coalescence of the glass-ceramic particles. Co-sintering of the metal particles and the glass-ceramic particles with the aid of the organic coating results in a hermetic multi-layer glass ceramic substrate free of dimensional stability problems without deleteriously affecting the electrical conductivity of the metal conductor pattern.

Abstract: A process for removing organic materials from an article formed from a slurry of glass and/or ceramic particles, resin binder, and a solvent for the resin binder, the process involving including in the slurry a particulate catalyst selected from the group consisting of Cu, Cu.sub.2 O, CuO, Cu.sub.2 SO.sub.4, CuCl.sub.2, Cu organometallic compounds, and mixtures thereof, the catalyst promoting a rapid and complete removal from the shaped article when heated of the organic materials of the slurry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a slurry for casting into ceramic green sheets. Starting from selected quantities of a solvent, plasticizer, polymeric binder material, frit and aluminum oxide, a low viscosity pre-mix is formed by combining predetermined portions of the solvent and binder material and all of the plasticizer. The remaining portions of the solvent and binder material are combined into a post-mix. Next, the pre-mix and frit are milled in a ball mill. Then the aluminum oxide is added to the ball mill in steps using predetermined portions and milled for predetermined periods of time to achieve the desired degree of aluminum oxide deagglomeration and particle packing density. Finally, the post-mix is added to the ball mill and milled to obtain the final slurry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a maskless metal cladding process for plating an existing metallurgical pattern by utilizing a protective layer to isolate those areas of underlying metallurgy on which additional metal plating is not desired. The layer acts as an isolation barrier to protect the underlying metallurgy from deposition and subsequent diffusion of the heavy metal (e.g., gold) overlay. The composition of the protective layer is selected as one having sufficient mechanical integrity to withstand process handling and support the gold overlay and having the thermal integrity to withstand the high temperatures reached during metal sputtering and diffusion processes. The isolation barrier layer has an organic component as a binder which thermally decomposes, either in a heating step before metal deposition or during the diffusion cycle, leaving no carbonaceous residue but leaving an inert, inorganic standoff to support the metal.

Abstract: Production of a sintered ceramic dielectric formed from a green sheet having a uniform microporous structure providing uniform dielectric properties and compressibility for lamination of stacked green sheets into a unitary laminate which may be provided with an internal pattern of electrical conductors extending therein. The structure is obtained by blending the ceramic particulate in a solution of a binder resin miscible in a solvent mixture which is formed from a volatile solvent for the binder resin and a less volatile solvent in which the resin is at most only slightly soluble.

Abstract: Production of a sintered ceramic dielectric formed from a green sheet having a uniform microporous structure providing uniform dielectric properties and compressibility for lamination of stacked green sheets into a unitary laminate which may be provided with an internal pattern of electrical conductors extending therein. The structure is obtained by blending the ceramic particulate in a solution of a binder resin miscible in a solvent mixture which is formed from a volatile solvent for the binder resin and a less volatile solvent in which the resin is at most only slightly soluble.

Abstract: Production of a sintered ceramic dielectric formed from a green sheet having a uniform microporous structure providing uniform dielectric properties and compressibility for lamination of stacked green sheets into a unitary laminate which may be provided with an internal pattern of electrical conductors extending therein. The structure is obtained by blending the ceramic particulate in a solution of a binder resin miscible in a solvent mixture which is formed from a volatile solvent for the binder resin and a less volatile solvent in which the resin is at most only slightly soluble.

Abstract: Ceramic substrates used in the fabrication of electrical components are generally formed by casting a composition comprising ceramic, binder, solvent and optional wetting agent onto a support, removing the casting composition solvent to yield a ceramic green sheet and firing the ceramic green sheet at elevated temperatures. In such a process, internal stresses are generated in the ceramic green sheet after casting compositions solvent evaporation, which stresses cause dimensional changes in the ceramic green sheet with the passage of time and adversely effect critical component tolerances. The present invention provides a process for stabilizing ceramic green sheets against dimensional changes, which occur with the passage of time and/or upon screening the ceramic green sheet with metallurgical patterns, by contacting the ceramic green sheet, after casting composition solvent removal, with a solvent which softens the binder in the ceramic green sheet and permits stress relieving.