On Tue, 04 Jun 1996 21:01:12 -0400 Jarlath McEntee wrote: > Dear Group, > > I want to find some information on the strength of Silicon Fusion bonds > between silicon wafers. In particular I am interested in the strength > of the bond in direct tension, in shear, and in bending. Most of the > information I can find in the litrature presents information on the > surface energy of the bond. Any papers presenting actual fracture > strenghts of bonds gives fracture stresses in the range of 5 to 15 MPa. > This seems low for an interatomic bond. Any clarifications available? > You're right - it is low compared to the GPa range for interatomic bonds. However, it is more than good enough for applications using bonded wafers - try pulling a well bonded pair apart!! Cheers, Dave Wood.