Forsterite-based ceramic–glass composites for substrate applications in microwave and millimeter wave communications

Abstract Forsterite (Mg 2 SiO 4 ) ceramics were synthesized by mixed oxide route. The effect of lithium borosilicate (LBS) glass addition on sintering temperature and microwave dielectric properties of forsterite was investigated. The crystal structure and the microstructure of the ceramic–glass composites were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The dielectric properties of the sintered samples were measured in the radio and microwave frequency ranges. Addition of 15 wt% LBS glass lowered the sintering temperature from 1500 °C to about 950 °C without markedly affecting the dielectric properties. The results indicate that forsterite mixed with suitable amount of LBS glass is a possible material for LTCC application.