Diffusion Bonding Services

Over 45 years of diffusion bonding experience.

With over 45 years of experience, Ģ��tv�� is among the most qualified and well-equipped diffusion bonding specialists in North America. Furthermore, our depth of knowledge and design expertise enables the successful bonding of the most intricate and challenging devices.

Diffusion Bonding Capabilities

Ģ��tv��’s history of developing new diffusion bonding process variations and improving current techniques ensures that we employ the best method for each application, e.g.:

Applied dynamic loads to 4,800,000 lbs.
Assembly sizes up to 60 inches in diameter
Assembly weights to 60,000 pounds
Controlled vacuum atmosphere
High-volume production
Induction-based
Interface-assisted
Long cycle, minimal strain
Low temperature
Routinely bond parent materials as thin as 0.0002 inches thick
Partial pressure control for up to three gases
Product design to optimize end-use product performance as well as production costs
Quick cooling argon-to-water heat exchangers for high-production-rate processing
Reactive interface
Temperatures range to 1900°C
Transient Liquid Phase (TLP)

Materials

Reliable for joining a wide range of materials e.g.:

Aluminum
Aluminum oxide
Copper
Gold and other exotics
Ceramics
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Haynes™ alloys
Inconel™ alloys
Magnesium
Molybdenum
Nickel
Platinum
Silver
Stainless steel
Steel
Titanium

Suitable for Precision Assemblies

Ģ��tv�� uses diffusion bonding instead of for end-use applications in which the use of a filler alloy might compromise intricate features and hermeticity.

Furthermore, it is often the joining method of choice in the production of shim assemblies for mini or microchannel devices, which are for manifolds, biomedical implants, nozzles, mixers, and other precision assemblies.

In addition, it is also appropriate in situations where the temperatures of the end-use application are very high and there is a risk of the alloy material’s softening and the joint’s weakening in service.

Applicable to an Array of Markets

We perform diffusion bonding for customers in a variety of industries, e.g.:

Aerospace
Medical
Energy
Chemical plant fabrication
Electronics
Instrumentation

Diffusion bonding is the preferred joining method e.g.:

Microchannel devices as well as photo-etched laminates
Gigahertz waveguides as well as antennas
Corrosion-resistant manifolds

Above is a picture of a cutout of the inner core of a diffusion bonded microchannel heat exchanger (MCHE). This picture shows the layers of plates with flow channels. During diffusion bonding, the atoms diffuse together and the core becomes one solid piece at parent material strength.

Solutions for Discerning Customers

Examples of diffusion bonding projects e.g.:

0005’’ thick titanium foil implantable foil sensors
Aerojet Rocketdyne: space shuttle valve assemblies
Aluminum cold plates for electronics cooling
Copper cold plates as well as flexible thermal straps for cooling
Heat exchangers
Major medical device corporation: artificial heart implant components
Microchannel devices for fuel cells, reactors, reformers, as well as heat exchangers
NASA: bonding parameter development for Mars Lander
Schilling: robotic assemblies for submarines used in the offshore oil industry
Superalloy structures measuring 24” x 24” x 27” encapsulating miles of microchannels as well as other microfluidics features
UHV electron beam windows

The Diffusion Bonding Process

Applied Force is Carefully Selected for Each Application

Diffusion bonding positions parent materials together and applies force and heat in a vacuum furnace, causing atoms from each part to diffuse to the other. As a result, the end product is a solid piece at parent material strength.

Filler-Free Process Ensures Parent Material Strength

A key feature of diffusion bonding is that it does not require the use of filler material. Given that, this means the resulting joint has properties similar or equal to the parent materials.

Transient Liquid Phase (TLP) Bonding Specialized Applications

TLP (Transient Liquid Phase) bonding uses an extremely thin “activation layer” to create a short-lived liquid interface at the joining parent materials. In addition, the liquid phase material fully diffuses into the solid parent materials during the diffusion bonding process.

Critical Diffusion Bonding Process Parameters are Considered

Our team can ensure the strongest bonds by considering the following factors e.g.:

Component flatness
Interfacial features
Load application profile
Production tooling design
The service environment
Strain-based processing
The suitability of the product design and end-use application for diffusion bonding
Surface chemistry and metallurgy
Surface roughness
Temperature profile design

The World’s Largest Vacuum Hot Press

Ģ��tv�� currently owns the world’s largest vacuum hot press furnace. As a result, Ģ��tv�� is perfectly suited for brazing, bonding, and hot pressing large-size assemblies.

The usable chamber area is 60 in. x 120 in. x 120 in.
Temperatures in excess of 1900° Celsius in a vacuum and partial pressure atmosphere.
Two independent 1200 ton rams allow for loads to 4.8 million pounds.
Ten high accuracy load cells allow precision force as well as precision control on the production elements.
Assembly weights in excess of 60,000 lbs.