Thick-film resistors on zirconia substrates for possible strain gauge applications

Thick-film resistors that were developed for firing on alumina substrates have been evaluated in terms of their compatibility with ZrO2. The characteristics of a number of 10 kohm/sq. resistors that were fired on 96% alumina and on tetragonal zirconia substrates were investigated. Possible interactions between the resistor material and the zirconia were studied with X-ray powder-diffraction analysis, with scanning electron microscopy and with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Sheet resistivities, temperature coefficients of resistivity, current noise and gauge factors were measured. The results indicate that the evaluated thick-film resistors are compatible with zirconia ceramics.