Fingerprints of Epoxy Bleed-out on Porous Ceramic Surface

— Epoxy bleed-out (EBO) is a potentially deleterious failure mode emanating from the separation of epoxy glue components and their spread in the substrate. Herein, the fingerprints of a ‘disappearing' EBO after cure were explored via surface analytical techniques such as the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy – energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Time-of-flight Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS). Results indicate the presence of organic residues similar in composition with glue components, and are not reaching the bonding area, and the absence of Ag traces that could induce electrical shorting leading to functional failures.