SBIR Phase I: Low Temperature Joining of Alumina Structural Ceramics

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a low temperature joining compound for structural alumina. The paste will rely on the low melting point of alumina preceramic materials to effectively wet the joining surfaces and alumina filler, thus forming a dense joint with characteristics similar to the joined ceramics. The program will investigate three different filled paste preparations: a) a dissolved processor paste, b) a suspended precursor paste, and c) a precursor salt mix with a lowered melting point paste. This technology will make possible the production of complex alumina structures from simple geometric alumina pieces, which have been previously densified. Innovations in this area will make the realization of complicated structural ceramics more cost effective in production. The paste will decompose to alumina, and will be densified at temperatures lower than that needed to sinter alumina. The technology to be developed under this project will find wide application in the structural ceramics market. Low temperature joining technologies are needed to increase the complexity of structures that can be economically produced from these materials.