EP0121209A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Diffusion bonding of aluminum alloys
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1984-03-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-03-26
Abstract
Abstract Diffusion bonding of aluminium alloys is performed using a thin alloy interlayer placed between mating surfaces of the alloy members to be bonded, the interlayer having a specific composition which is dependent upon the composition of the alloy members, the diffusion bonding temperature, the interdiffusion rates of the alloy members compared with the interlayer, and the solid state diffusion rate of the interlayer into the alloy members. The process is preferably further characterized by isothermal solidification of the interlayer after the diffusion bonding temperature has been reached.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifford C. Bampton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:26
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K35/00; B23K35/22; B23K35/24; B23K35/28; B23K35/286; B23K35/001; B23K35/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
1 . A method of diffusion bonding, which comprises: providing two aluminum alloy members to be diffusion bonded within a temperature range suitable for diffusion bonding, said aluminum alloy members each having at least one alloy additive therein; providing an interlayer of alloy which comprises aluminum and an alloy additive which 1s also in said alloy members, the percentage of said aluminum in said interlayer being less than the percentage of said aluminum in said alloy members, said Interlayer having a melting point below said temperature range, said alloy of said members being soluble 1n said interlayer when said interlayer is in a liquid phase; positioning said alloy members and said interlayer in an assembly such that said interlayer 1s sandwiched between the surfaces of said alloy members to be bonded; heating said assembly to within said temperature range; and maintaining said assembly within said temperature range such that portions of said aluminum alloy members dissolve into said interlayer at a faster rate than said interlayer diffuses into said members and said interlayer eventually solidifies.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
1 . A method of diffusion bonding, which comprises: providing two aluminum alloy members to be diffusion bonded within a temperature range suitable for diffusion bonding, said aluminum alloy members each having at least one alloy additive therein; providing an interlayer of alloy which comprises aluminum and an alloy additive which 1s also in said alloy members, the percentage of said aluminum in said interlayer being less than the percentage of said aluminum in said alloy members, said Interlayer having a melting point below said temperature range, said alloy of said members being soluble 1n said interlayer when said interlayer is in a liquid phase; positioning said alloy members and said interlayer in an assembly such that said interlayer 1s sandwiched between the surfaces of said alloy members to be bonded; heating said assembly to within said temperature range; and maintaining said assembly within said temperature range such that portions of said aluminum alloy members dissolve into said interlayer at a faster rate than said interlayer diffuses into said members and said interlayer eventually solidifies.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of Claim 1 where said maintaining step is such that said interlayer solidifies substantially isothermally.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 1 wherein the melting point of said Interlayer increases as said aluminum alloy members dissolve into said interlayer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 1 wherein said interlayer rapidly diffuses Into said aluminum alloy members at said diffusion bonding temperature after solidification of said interlayer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 1 wherein said alloy of said members is a fine grain alloy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
6 . The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 1 wherein said alloy additive consists of magnesium, copper, zinc, or silicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 1 wherein said surface layer has a thickness of less than ten micrometers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
B. The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 1 wherein said diffusion bonding temperature is between 482 to 535°C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 1 wherein said interlayer is essentially an aluminum-magnesium alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 1 further comprising removing an oxide layer from the surfaces of the alloy members to be joined prior to placing the interlayer therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited 1n Claim 2 wherein said interlayer 1s essentially an aluminum-magnesium alloy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 11 wherein said surface layer has a thickness of less than ten micrometers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 11 further comprising removing an oxide layer from the surfaces of the alloy members to be joined prior to placing the interlayer therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of diffusion bonding as recited in Claim 12 further comprising removing an oxide layer from the surfaces of the alloy members to be joined prior to placing the Interlayer therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of Claim 1 wherein the melting point of said interlayer is at least 20°C below the lowest temperature of said temperature range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of Claim 1 wherein the liquidus line for the interlayer alloy rises at a rate of at least 5°C per Increase in weight percent of aluminum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of Claim 15 wherein the liquidus line for the interlayer alloy rises at a rate of at least 5°C per Increase in weight percent of aluminum.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
'18. The method of Claim 2 wherein the liquidus line for the interlayer alloy rises at a rate of at least 5° per increase in weight percent of aluminum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of Claim 11 wherein the liquidus line for the interlayer alloy rises at a rate of at least 5°C per increase in weight percent of aluminum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of Claim 12 wherein the liquidus line for the Interlayer alloy rises at a rate of at least 5°C per increase in weight percent of aluminum.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of Claim 13 wherein the liquidus line for the Interlayer alloy rises at a rate of at least 5°C per Increase in weight percent of aluminum.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of Claim 14 wherein the liquidus line for the interlayer alloy rises at a rate of at least 5°C per increase in weight percent of aluminum.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of diffusion bonding, which comprises: providing two aluminum alloy members to be diffusion bonded within a temperature range suitable for diffusion bonding, said aluminum alloy members having more than one alloy additive therein; providing an interlayer of alloy which substantially comprises two elements that are common to said alloy members, said interlayer having a melting point below said temperature range, said alloy additives being soluble in said interlayer when said interlayer is in a liquid phase; positioning said alloy members and said interlayer in an assembly such that said interlayer is sandwiched between the surfaces of said alloy members to be bonded; heating said assembly to within said temperature range; and maintaining said assembly within said temperature range such that portions of said aluminum alloy members dissolve into said interlayer at a faster rate than said interlayer diffuses into said members and said interlayer eventually solidifies.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of diffusion bonding, which comprises: providing two aluminum alloy members to be diffusion bonded within a temperature range suitable for diffusion bonding, said aluminum alloy members having more than one alloy additive therein; providing an interlayer of alloy which substantially comprises two elements that are common to said alloy members, said interlayer having a melting point below said temperature range, said alloy additives being soluble in said interlayer when said interlayer is in a liquid phase; positioning said alloy members and said interlayer in an assembly such that said interlayer is sandwiched between the surfaces of said alloy members to be bonded; heating said assembly to within said temperature range; and maintaining said assembly within said temperature range such that portions of said aluminum alloy members dissolve into said interlayer at a faster rate than said interlayer diffuses into said members and said interlayer eventually solidifies.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of Claim 23 wherein said maintaining step is such that said interlayer solidifies substantially isothermally.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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