Densification, phase composition, and properties of borosilicate glass composites containing nano-alumina and titania

Five samples of glass/ceramic composites were prepared from borosilicate glasses and both nano-aluminum oxide and nano-titanium oxide. The glass composite samples contain 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 wt.% of alumina and titania mixture. The ratio of Al₂O₃:TiO₂ in the mixture was 1:1. The formation of cristobalite in the glass matrix of low firing glass/ceramic composite substrates limits the efficiency of the ceramic substrate when it is used in circuit boards. In the present study, addition of both alumina and titania to a borosilicate glass as a ceramic filler caused the diffusion of alumina and titania phases (anatase and rutile) constituents into the glass matrix and prevented the formation of a cristobalite. Addition of both the ceramics suppresses cristobalite formation more effectively than one of them used alone and results in lower dielectric constant and thermal expansion coefficients.