Evaluation and Life Testing of Copper-Coated Alumina

摘要

Metallized ceramics are commonly used substrates for solar cells in point-focus photovoltaic concentrator modules. A high percentage of failures in the copper-ceramic interface is occasionally found after thermal cycling. To better understand the cause of the failures, we prepared and thermally cycled several samples. Failed samples were found to contain purer alumina, had been fired at lower temperatures, and exhibited interfacial chlorine-probably from the flux used to apply the solder layer. The use of appropriate materials and processes should eliminate interfacial failure resulting from thermal cycling. 8 refs., 32 figs., 1 tab. (ERA citation 13:056450)