Thu, 29 August, 2024
A new paper, ‘Diffusion Bonding of Dissimilar Materials for Space Applications via Hot Isostatic Pressing,’ is now available to read online.
The paper was co-written by experts from TWI and the National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC) alongside those from The University of Birmingham, Johnson Matthey, and the European Space Agency, detailing how hot isostatic pressing (HIP) method can be used for the diffusion bonding of dissimilar materials used in the space industry.
The paper details how hot isostatic pressing diffusion bonding (HIP DB) of dissimilar materials (such as niobium (Nb), platinum (Pt) and titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V)) were assessed with the aim to use in the thruster combustion chambers used in rocket engines. In particular, the development of an oxidation-resistant Pt layer on top of pure Nb was addressed.
The diffusion layer was analysed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed a successful reaction between pure Nb and Pt with the generation of reaction layers without the formation of deleterious brittle phases on or near the interface. In addition, the paper investigated the possibility of diffusion bonding Nb and Ti6Al4V dissimilar materials for the space applications.
The trials conducted in this work demonstrate how replacing the conventional R-512E di-silicide coating with a Pt layer and the electron beam welding of Nb and Ti6Al4V with solid state HIP DB joining can be used to obtain a defect-free joint with a desirable microstructure at or near the interface.
This paper represents just one of several ongoing initiatives at TWI to assist the space industry and you can see the open access version of the paper, including full bibliographic details, online here.