Currently, adhesive bonding, fastening, and welding are techniques for joining dissimilar materials used in a gas-grain simulation furnace. Each technique has its limitations when used repeatedly. A novel technique call "Intragene" can achieve metallurgical bonding between various dissimilar materials in these furnaces. This metallization process can also allow for bonding to occur between nonmetals such as graphite and metals such as copper. Phase I will develop reliable and stable, high- temperature (>1000øC) joints between graphite and copper. These joints are necessary to provide electrical and thermal performance capabilities for many applications, especially in the development of water-cooled, graphite glow-bar elements with high electrical conductivity contacts found in furnaces to be used in space- and ground-based applications. Using copper as the metallurgical end for resistive heating bars allows for conventional brazed, soldered, and screw-fit plumbing to the overall elements, while allowing for low resistivity electrical contact to be made and maintained for efficient heating.
Potential Commercial Applications:The primary applications for these joints are in high-temperature facilities such as furnaces. Other applications include high-temperature, water-cooled glow bars; graphite brushes attached to commutators; and heat sinks, heat pipes, and radiators used in the electronics and nuclear industries.
