Effect of isothermal aging on the growth behavior of Cu/Al intermetallic compounds

This research focuses on the formation and growth behavior of Cu/Al intermetallic compounds (IMCs). In order to investigate IMC growth after 30, 60 and 120 min of aging at 270, 300 and 330 °C, cross-section of Al, Cu and Cu/Al IMCs were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the consumption of the Al layer is more rapid than that of Cu layer, and that after 120 min at 330 °C the Al layer is entirely consumed. The formation of three distinct Cu/Al IMC layers was observed. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to identify the three IMC layers formed at the interface. These were CuAl, Cu₃Al₂ and Cu₉Al₄. Also, the activation energies of Cu/Al IMC growth were obtained from an Arrhenius plot.