Characterization of geopolymer ceramic reinforced Sn-0.7Cu composite solder: effect of milling time and speed

Abstract

The effect on the addition of optimally ball milled kaolin and fly ash geopolymer ceramic as reinforcement on the morphology and electrical properties of Sn-0.7Cu composite solder were explored. Geopolymer ceramics from fly ash class F and kaolin were prepared using geopolymer technology, milled at various speed and time. 1.0 wt. % of each sample were used to form composite solder via microwave sintered through powder metallurgy method. Structural characterization via SEM reveals that kaolin geopolymer ceramics has nano-sized subangular powder particles with larger amount of open porosity compared to fly ash geopolymer ceramics when milled at optimum speed and time. Four Point Probe test results showed a decreasing trend of electrical resistivity for kaolin geopolymer ceramics as the milling speeds and times increased. Overall, the results compared to electrical resistivity of other composite solder with various typical ceramic reinforcement additions, proves that kaolin geopolymer ceramics reinforcement to be the best option so far in term of morphology, electrical properties and its sustainable manufacturability.