Advanced Materials Processing with Infrared

Infrared processing for materials has been developed at the University of Cincinnati during the last decade. Taking the advantage of rapid radiation heat transfer, infrared has been used for joining steels, titanium alloys, nickel based superalloys, titanium matrix composites, carbon-carbon composites and ceramics under flowing argon atmospheres. Joining was typically completed in the order of seconds. The joint strengths were similar or superior to those of joints prepared with traditional vacuum brazing processes. Infrared infiltration has also been applied for making metal matrix composites. Composites of aluminum, titanium, copper and various alloy matrix have been successfully fabricated. Infrared infiltration provides accurate control of interfacial reactions in the composite systems as a result of precise processing time control. Excellent composite strengths and microstructures have been observed. Infrared has also been used to promote interfacial bonding of various coatings on steels, titanium alloys and superalloys. Sputter deposition, electrodeposition and electroless plating were used for coating preparation. In most cases, infrared treatments of coated specimens significantly improved the bonding strength of coatings as determined with the debonding scratch critical load.