Method for fabricating superplastically formed/diffusion bonded aluminum or aluminum alloy structures
US4483478A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 1981 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K20/26
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for fabricating superplastically formed/diffusion bonded structures wherein metal blanks of aluminum or an aluminum alloy having an oxide surface layer are joined at selected areas by diffusion bonding and expanded superplastically to form a desired sandwich or integrally stiffened structure. According to such method, a suitable mask is applied to selected areas of the aluminum or aluminum alloy blanks. The assembly is then placed in a vacuum chamber and at a suitable low pressure and suitable voltage a glow discharge is created between the metal blank or blanks functioning as cathode or sputtering target, and an anode to selectively remove the oxide from the metal blanks and deposit the oxide debris on the anode. After the oxide layers have been removed from the surfaces of the blanks to be bonded, such surfaces are brought into intimate contact within the sputtering chamber or in an area equipped with heated platens, and while preventing reoxidation of the cleaned surface areas of the metal blanks, such blanks are subjected to press pressure and heat. The cleaned oxide-free areas bond, while the remaining areas, protected by the natural oxide and covered by the masks, do…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.