Brown oxide and/or black oxide layers were formed on the surface of Cu-based leadframe by chemical oxidation of leadframe in hot alkaline solutions, and their growth characteristics were studied. Then, to measure the adhesion strength between leadframe and epoxy molding compound (EMC), oxidized leadframe samples were molded with EMC and machined to form sandwiched double-cantilever beam (SDCB) specimens and pull-out specimens, respectively. Results showed that the adhesion strength of un-oxidized leadframe/EMC interface was inherently very poor but could be increased drastically with the nucleation of acicular CuO precipitates on the surface of leadframe. The presence of smooth faceted $Cu_2O $ on the surfaces of leadframe gave close to zero interfacial fracture toughness (Gc) and reasonable pull strength (PS). A direct correlation between Gc and PS showed that PS can be a measure of Gc only in a limited range.