Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Electron-beam (e-beam) moiré is a recently developed technique for micro-mechanics. It allows one to combine the resolution of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) with the strain measurement capabilities of moiré. With e-beam moiré we are able to study locally the effect of temperatures ranging between −50 and 150 °C on conductive adhesives (CAs) and their interfaces. With this technique we measured the local displacements due to the thermal expansion of the copper and the CA. The modified lap-shear specimens were made of copper-to-copper attached with CAs and cured according to the manufacturer's instructions. A cross section of each material was polished and a moiré grating was written on the surface using e-beam lithography techniques. Digital images of the moiré were collected from the SEM at regular temperature intervals. The images were compared and the displacements measured. Local regions of large displacements were observed in the paste specimen. Permanent deformations in the film specimen resulted from exceeding the glass transition temperature of the CA.