Ceramic Welding with Kovar/Titanium Alloy for Semiconductor Components
Ceramic-to-metal welding is a critical manufacturing process in the semiconductor industry, where components must withstand high temperatures, ultra-high vacuum, and long-term operational stress. Among the most reliable material combinations, ceramic welded with Kovar or titanium alloy provides exceptional hermeticity, mechanical stability, and thermal compatibility.
Kovar, a nickel-cobalt ferrous alloy, is specifically engineered to match the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of ceramic materials. This ensures that during heating and cooling cycles, both materials expand uniformly, preventing cracks, leaks, or structural failures. Titanium alloys, on the other hand, offer an outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, oxidation resistance, and compatibility with high-vacuum environments, making them ideal for precision semiconductor components.
Applications in the Semiconductor Industry
These welded assemblies are used in:
- Vacuum feedthroughs
- Sensor housings
- Optical device packages
- Power semiconductor modules
- Hermetically sealed electronics
Each of these applications demands absolute accuracy and repeatability. Even small inconsistencies in weld strength or vacuum integrity can compromise device performance.
Normantherm’s Role in High-Precision Ceramic-Metal Welding
Normantherm supports semiconductor manufacturers with advanced vacuum brazing furnaces, high-temperature sintering systems, and controlled-atmosphere heat-treatment equipment designed to handle complex ceramic-to-metal joining tasks.
Our furnaces ensure:
- Highly uniform temperature distribution
- Deep vacuum capability for oxidation-free joining
- Precise brazing profiles for difficult alloys
- Repeatable, production-grade quality
- Compatibility with high-purity ceramic and specialty metals
By providing stable thermal environments and ultra-clean atmospheres, Normantherm enables manufacturers to achieve durable, hermetically sealed ceramic-Kovar and ceramic-titanium assemblies essential for semiconductor device reliability.
Ceramic welding may seem like a small part of the semiconductor production chain, but it plays a decisive role in ensuring device longevity, performance, and safety. With Normantherm’s furnace systems, manufacturers can consistently meet the stringent technical standards of the global semiconductor industry.
