Adhesion of Electrolessly Deposited Nickel on Lead Zirconate Titanate Ceramic

Abstract

The adhesion of electrolessly deposited Ni onto lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic has been measured as a function of both the ceramics surface preparation prior to metalization and the plated Ni thickness. A maximum in NI/PZT interfacial adhesion of approximately 27 kg/cm 2 , as measured by a pull test, occurs when the ceramic grain boundaries are chemically etched, thereby providing points to mechanically anchor the Ni deposit. The adhesion decreases with overetching as the ceramic grains are undercut and drops off dramatically with increasing plated Ni thickness.