Glass-Ceramic Coating on Silver Electrode Surface via 3D Printing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Ceramics Engineering
• Surface Coatings

Background:

• Silver electrodes are crucial for electromagnetic devices but degrade at high temperatures.
• Existing calcium-magnesium-silicon glass-ceramics (CMS) have high sintering temperatures and low density.
• A protective coating is needed to maintain silver electrode performance without affecting wave transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a dense, uniform glass-ceramic coating for silver electrodes using 3D printing.
• To evaluate the dielectric and thermal properties of the novel coating.
• To assess the protective efficacy of the coating on silver at elevated temperatures.

Main Methods:

• Utilized CaO, MgO, B2O3, and SiO2 to create a glass coating via 3D printing on silver and Al2O3 substrates.
• Sintered the coated samples at high temperatures.
• Analyzed the coating's viscosity, surface density, interface bonding, and protective capabilities.

Main Results:

• Increased solid content enhanced paste viscosity and coating density.
• The 3D-printed coating exhibited well-bonded interfaces with Ag and Al2O3 substrates.
• The coating effectively protected the silver from corrosion, with minimal diffusion (2.5 μm) and no visible defects.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing offers an effective method for creating dense, corrosive-resistant glass-ceramic coatings.
• The developed coating improves the high-temperature stability and reliability of silver electrodes.
• This approach enhances dielectric performance and broadens applications for silver in demanding environments.