Study of mechanical response in embossing of ceramic green substrate by micro-indentation

Micro-indentation test with a micro flat-end cone indenter was employed to simulate micro embossing process and investigate the thermo-mechanical response of ceramic green substrates. The laminated low temperature co-fired ceramic green tapes were used as the testing material; the correlations of indentation depth versus applied force and applied stress at the temperatures of 2SdegC and 75degC were studied. The results showed that permanent indentation cavities could be formed at temperatures ranging from 25degC to 75degC, and the depth of cavities created was applied force, temperature and dwell time dependent. Creep occurred and made a larger contribution to the plastic deformation at elevated temperatures and high peak loads. There was instantaneous recovery during the unloading and retarded recovery in the first day after indentation. There was no significant pile-up due to material flow observed under compression at the temperature up to 75degC. The plastic deformation was the main cause for formation of cavity on the ceramic green substrate under compression. The results can be used as a guideline for embossing ceramic green substrates.