Method of manufacturing an article by superplastic forming and diffusion bonding and a vacuum chamber for use in processing workpieces for superplastic forming and diffusion bonding
US5263638A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K20/14
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A stack of titanium sheets are placed on a worktable in a vacuum chamber. One of the mating surfaces of each pair of mating surfaces has had a stop off material applied in a desired pattern to prevent diffusion bonding. A pump evacuates the vacuum chamber and heaters heat the stack to evaporate volatile binder from the stop off. When all the binder has been removed the worktable is moved relative to an electron beam gun to weld the edges of the sheets together to form a sealed assembly. The volatile binder is removed quickly and oxidation of the titanium is prevented during baking out of the binder. The sealed assembly is then heated and externally pressurised to diffusion bond the sheets together. The integral structure is then heated and internally pressured to superplastically form one of the sheets to produce an article of predetermined shape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.