Microwave Induced Plasma (MIP) Brazing of Silicon Nitride to Stainless Steel

Abstract

AbstractIn an attempt to accelerate the process of joining of metals to ceramics, a new rapid brazing technology has been developed. In this process, referred to as Microwave Induced Plasma (MIP) brazing, a microwave plasma is used to rapidly heat the ceramic and metal to the melting temperature of the reactive braze material. The heating rate obtained by MIP could be many times faster than those achieved by conventional resistive heating in a tube furnace. The fast heating rate has no detrimental effect on the joint quality and in fact results in the formation of a thick interfacial film suggesting significant interdiffusion between the braze and ceramic, possibly stimulated by the microwave radiation. In this paper the experimental arrangement of the MIP system is described. The unique capability of the MIP heating is demonstrated by successful joining of hot pressed silicon nitride to stainless steel using reactive metal brazing. The results of microstructural characterisation of the joints carried out by SEM and EDS will also be presented.