Method of joining of metallic and/or ceramic materials with the help of a glass ceramic filler material

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This patent describes a specialized method for joining metallic and/or ceramic components using a glass-ceramic filler material with the targeted application of a laser (such as a CO2, Nd:YAG, fiber, diode, or disk laser). The process involves partially melting the glass-ceramic filler with the focused laser energy, allowing it to form a strong, gas-tight, and cohesive bond between the surfaces upon cooling. The technique allows selective localized heating, making it especially suitable for repair operations where only certain joint areas are defective.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Repairing leaks or defective joints in high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks, especially in cases where a local fix is preferred over reheating the whole assembly.
• Manufacturing or assembling gas-tight, electrically insulating seals between metallic and ceramic components, such as in electronic devices, sensors, or aerospace components.
• Production and repair of glass-to-metal or ceramic-to-metal seals in high-temperature or high-stress environments.
• Fabrication of microelectronic devices where precision, localized bonding between different material types is needed.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables highly localized, targeted repairs, reducing the need for disassembly or full thermal cycling of large assemblies.
• Produces gas-tight, cohesive bonds that maintain mechanical integrity and electrical insulation even at high temperatures.
• Reduces thermal stress and potential damage to sensitive components by minimizing unnecessary heating.
• Allows flexibility in the choice of laser type and control of energy delivery for optimal results with diverse materials.
• Improves process safety and reliability due to precise, non-contact heat application.
• Can extend the service life and reliability of expensive or complex assemblies by enabling in-situ repair rather than full replacement.

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Patent Abstract

The method for bonding two metallic and/or ceramic surface components using a glass-ceramic filler material, comprises directing a laser beam on the glass-ceramic filler material, partially melting the glass-ceramic filler material by the energy input of the laser, and cooling the molten glass-ceramic filler material to form a cohesive gas-tight connection between the surface components. The laser beam is a carbon dioxide laser, a neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, a fiber laser, a diode laser or a disk laser. The method for bonding two metallic and/or ceramic surface components using a glass-ceramic filler material, comprises directing a laser beam on the glass-ceramic filler material, partially melting the glass-ceramic filler material by the energy input of the laser, and cooling the molten glass-ceramic filler material to form a cohesive gas-tight connection between the surface components. The laser beam is a carbon dioxide laser, a neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, a fiber laser, a diode laser or a disk laser. The energy input of the laser at the point of entry is adjusted by focusing or defocusing of the laser. The focusing or defocusing of the laser is adjusted by a relative movement of the laser to the glass-ceramic filler material or an optical device. The glass-ceramic filler material is selectively melted. A joining seam is partially melted by a relative movement between the laser and the glass-ceramic filler material. An additional glass-ceramic filler material is supplied as a bonding material. The additional glass-ceramic filler material is supplied to the bonding of a binder-free solder and melted by the laser.