Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of Electrodeposited Gold Films

Published

January 1, 2001

Author(s)

G J. Long, David T. Read, Joseph D. McColskey, K Crago

Abstract

The effects of temperature and duration of thermal treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of electrodeposited gold films were evaluated. Specimens were synthesized by electrodeposition of gold on copper foil substrates followed by application of novel photolithographic and microetching techniques so as to produce a series of free-standing gold thin-films of dimensions 2.5 m x 200 m x 800 m supported by copper foil frames. Seven different heat treatments, spanning temperatures from 25 to 300 C and up to 8 hours in duration were studied. In each case, thermal annealing of the samples was carried out in an inert atmosphere after the copper foil substrate beneath the tensile coupons had been removed by CuCl₂ etchants. X-ray diffraction was used to assess the microstructures. The crystalline texture of the films changed from predominantly <111> (perpendicular to the plane) to strongly <100>, and then back toward <111> with heat treatment. No evidence for grain growth was seen in the X-ray diffraction results. Tensile-strength analyses were performed using a piezo-actuated microtensile testing system. The properties of the heat-treated specimens varied significantly from those of the non-treated material. Tensile strength generally decreased with longer heat treatment. Cyclic fluctuations in the elongation-to-failure, strikingly similar to those in the ratio of <200> to <111> diffracted x-ray intensities, were observed as a function of increasing heat-treatment temperature.

Proceedings Title

Mechanical Properties of Structural Film, Symposium | | Mechanical Properties of Structural Film: ASTM Special Publication

Volume

1413

Conference Dates

November 1, 2000

Conference Location

Undefined

Conference Title

American Society for Testing and Materials

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

ductlity, electroformed, electroplated, heat treatment, strength, tensile texture, ultimate, x-ray, yield

Citation

Long, G. , Read, D. , McColskey, J. and Crago, K. (2001), Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of Electrodeposited Gold Films, Mechanical Properties of Structural Film, Symposium | | Mechanical Properties of Structural Film: ASTM Special Publication, Undefined (Accessed October 10, 2025)