What Are The Mechanical Properties Of Aluminium Arsenide?
Aluminium Arsenide (AlAs) is a semiconductor material with a hexagonal crystal structure, and its mechanical properties are influenced by various factors such as the crystal structure, temperature, and doping.
Some of the key mechanical properties of AlAs are:
1. Young's Modulus: The Young's modulus of AlAs is around 85 GPa, which is similar to other III-V semiconductors like GaAs and InAs. This parameter indicates the stiffness or elasticity of the material.
2. Poisson's Ratio: The Poisson's ratio of AlAs is around 0.22, which means that it expands in one direction when compressed in another direction. This parameter is important for calculating the deformation or strain of the material under stress.
3. Hardness: The hardness of AlAs is relatively low compared to other materials, with values ranging from 4 to 6 on the Mohs scale. This means that it can be easily scratched or damaged by harder materials.
4. Yield Strength: The yield strength of AlAs depends on the purity and crystal quality of the material. It ranges from 200-500 MPa, which is lower than other III-V semiconductors like GaAs.
5. Fracture Toughness: The fracture toughness of AlAs is around 0.7 MPa.m^(1/2), which is relatively low compared to other materials. This means that it is more prone to cracking or fracturing under stress.
In summary, Aluminium Arsenide has a moderate stiffness, low yield strength, low fracture toughness, and relatively low hardness. These properties make it suitable for certain electronic and optoelectronic applications but limit its use in high-stress applications.