Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
This paper reports a study of microscopic on-chip corrosion on a 17 μm × 17 μm microelectromechanical device. The active atmospheric corrosion occurred only on the Al−Si−Ti components which were connected directly to the TiW components. Adsorbed fluoride ionic species on the microelectromechanical device were found to activate the observed bimetallic corrosion on the Al−Si−Ti/TiW contacts. Water rinse or replacement of TiW by TiAlx completely eliminates the active corrosion. Electrochemical potential data confirm the dissimilar metal corrosion mechanism. Effective prevention of on-chip corrosion was achieved by the judicious design of the device components to avoid dissimilar metal contacts with large galvanic potential differences.