Method of joining components using metal paste with oxidizing agents

Abstract

A sintering method is provided which allows components to be joined to each other in a stable way, wherein the processing temperature is less than 200° C. and stable contact points are produced, which have low porosity and also high electrical and thermal conductivity. The method for joining components includes (a) providing a sandwich arrangement having at least (a1) one component 1, (a2) one component 2, and (a3) a metal paste located between component 1 and component 2, and (b) sintering the sandwich arrangement. The metal paste contains (A) 75-90 weight percent of at least one metal present in the form of particles having a coating containing at least one organic compound, (B) 0-12 weight percent of at least one metal precursor, (C) 6-20 weight percent of at least one solvent, and (D) 0.1-15 weight percent of at least one sintering agent selected from the group comprising (i) organic peroxides, (ii) inorganic peroxides, and (iii) inorganic acids.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for joining at least two components in contact with each other, the process comprising:
 (a) placing a metal sintering paste between at least two components to form a sandwich arrangement, wherein the metal paste contains a sintering agent selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) organic peroxides, 
 (ii) inorganic peroxides, and 
 (iii) inorganic acids; and 
   (b) sintering the sandwich arrangement at a temperature of less than 200° C.   
     
     
         2 . A method for joining at least two components, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a sandwich arrangement having at least
 (a1) a first component, 
 (a2) a second component, and 
 (a3) a metal sintering paste located between the first component and the second component; and 
   (b) sintering the sandwich arrangement at a temperature of less than 200° C., wherein the metal paste comprises:
 (A) 75-90 weight percent of at least one metal present in a form of particles having a coating containing at least one organic compound, 
 (B) 0-12 weight percent of at least one metal precursor, 
 (C) 6-20 weight percent of at least one solvent, and 
 (D) 0.1-15 weight percent of at least one sintering agent selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) organic peroxides, 
 (ii) inorganic peroxides, and 
 (iii) inorganic acids. 
 
   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the organic peroxide is selected from the group consisting of diisobutyryl peroxide, cumol peroxyneodecanoate, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl peroxyneodecanoate, di-n-propyl peroxydicarbonate, tert-amyl-peroxyneodecanoate, di-(2-ethylhexyl)-peroxydicarbonate, tert-butyl peroxyneodecanoate, di-n-butyl peroxydicarbonate, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl peroxypivalate, tert-butyl peroxyneoheptanoate, tert-amyl peroxypivalate, tert-butyl peroxypivalate, di-(3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl)-peroxide, tert-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate, tert-butyl peroxyisobutyrate, 1,1-di-(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 1,1-Di-(tert-butyl peroxy)-cyclohexane, tert-butyl peroxy-3,5,5-trimethylhexanoate, 2,2-di-(tert-butyl peroxy)-butane, tert-butyl peroxyisopropylcarbonate, tert-butyl peroxyacetate, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(2-ethylhexanoylperoxy)-hexane, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate, tert-amyl-peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate, tert-butyl peroxydiethylacetate, tert-amyl-peroxy-2-ethylhexylcarbonate, tert-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexylcarbonate, tert-butyl peroxybenzoate, di-tert-amyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di-(tert-butyl peroxy)-hexane, tert-butyl cumyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butyl peroxy)hexyne-3, di-tert-butyl peroxide, 3,6,9-triethyl-3,6,9-trimethyl-1,4,7-triperoxonane, di-isopropylbenzene-mono-hydroperoxide, p-menthane hydroperoxide, cumol hydroperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, and 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the inorganic peroxide is selected from the group comprising hydrogen peroxide, ammonium peroxide, lithium peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, barium peroxide, and peroxoborates. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the inorganic acid is a phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one organic compound is selected from the group comprising free fatty acids, fatty acid salts, and fatty acid esters, each fatty acid having 8-24 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein a molar ratio of the at least one sintering agent to the at least one organic compound contained in the coating lies in a range of 1:1 to 100:1.