Silver-palladium alloy films were made by the thick-film technique using several metal powders prepared via chemical coprecipitation. Three types (mixed, alloyed and partially alloyed) of silver-15 wt.% palladium powders were investigated to compare their sintering behaviours. The mixed lots were fired to form a film in layers, incorporated with a cover of Ag-Pd alloy polycrystals on a silver matrix. The alloyed lots were fired by direct coalescence of the alloy particles to develop a simple alloy film. The partially alloyed powders were fired to obtain a him in the structure between those extremes. Based on X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetry and sheet resistivity analyses, the layered structure made from mixed lots is mainly ascribed to diffusion of mobile silver towards palladium particles and towards alumina substrate during firing.
