High temperature strain gages based on reactively sputtered AlNx thin films
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-1997
Abstract
Thin film strain sensors based on reactively sputtered aluminum nitride are being developed for a variety of advanced aerospace applications, where the measurement of both static and dynamic strain is required at elevated temperatures. The non-stoichiometric AlN3. thin films are particularly attractive for strain sensor applications at elevated temperatures since they exhibit a relatively large gage factor G, and a relatively low temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), and they are electrically stable at high temperature, "c" axis oriented (0002) AlNx thin films were prepared by reactive r.f. sputtering from high purity aluminum targets. By varying the nitrogen content in the plasma, AlNx films useful for strain gage applications were produced. The resulting films exhibited room temperature resistivities in the range 1 × 10-3 Ω cm to 5 × 102 Ω cm, were emi-transparent in the visible spectrum (optical band gaps in the range 4.6-5.8 eV) and tested "p" type by hot probe. TCRs ranged from +825 to -1200 ppm°C-1 after repeated thermal cycling to 1100°C, depending on the nitrogen content in the film and the room temperature resistivity. Sputtering parameters were adjusted to yield a minimum value of +109 ppm °C-1. Large positive gage factors were measured at room temperature for all semiconducting AlNx films and the films exhibited a nearly linear piezoresistive response with little or no hysteresis when cycled from tension to compression. Gage factors on the order of 15 were realized for the AlNx films (gage factors of 2 are normally observed for refractory metal alloys). Annealing the AlNx films in argon at temperatures up to 1100 °C had minimal effect on the gage factor. This suggests that the piezoresistive response was more dependent on the defect structure of the as-deposited films than on the resistivity or subsequent thermal processing. Both the TCR and gage factor were correlated with the as-deposited resistivity and the nitrogen content in the films. The relationship between processing parameters and properties of these AlNx firms is reviewed here, and prospects of using such films as high temperature strain sensors are discussed.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Surface and Coatings Technology
Volume
88
Issue
1-3
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Gregory, Otto J., Arnout Bruins Slot, Paul S. Amons, and Everett E. Crisman. "High temperature strain gages based on reactively sputtered AlNx thin films." Surface and Coatings Technology 88, 1-3 (1997): 79-89. doi: 10.1016/S0257-8972(96)02889-7.