Metal Laminate Bonding Strength via Controlled Oxide Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing metal laminate materials struggle to achieve high bonding strength due to the time-consuming process of completely removing surface oxide layers and adsorbates, which hampers productivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving sputter etching to leave oxide layers on the surfaces of stainless steel and aluminum, followed by temporary bonding and thermal treatment below the recrystallization temperature of stainless steel to diffuse metal elements like Fe into aluminum, enhancing bonding strength without softening the stainless steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If surface oxide layers and adsorbates are completely removed during production, then bonding strength is improved, but production time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary function of oxide layer removal (creating a clean surface for bonding) while retaining a controlled oxide layer that prevents oxidation during bonding. The sputter etching process removes adsorbates and contaminants but stops before completely removing the oxide layer, achieving the desired balance between bonding strength and production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely removing oxide layers and then preventing re-oxidation through rapid bonding, the invention inverts the approach by intentionally retaining the oxide layer and using it as a protective barrier against oxidation during the bonding process, thereby eliminating the need for extremely rapid bonding operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach efficiently produces metal laminate materials with high bonding strength, reducing sputter etching time and improving productivity while preventing stainless steel softening, as demonstrated by improved peel strength and hardness.
Implementation Method 1
sputter etching faces to be bonded of a stainless steel and an aluminum such that oxide layers remain on the surfaces
Implementation Method 2
thermally treating the temporarily bonded laminate material at a temperature lower than the recrystallization temperature of the stainless steel to thermally diffuse at least a metal element comprised in the stainless steel into the aluminum
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a production method for efficiently producing a metal laminate having high bonding strength. A method for producing a metal laminate material comprising the steps of: sputter etching faces to be bonded of a stainless steel and an aluminum such that an oxide layer remains on each face; temporarily bonding the faces to be bonded of the stainless steel and the aluminum by roll pressure bonding; and thermally treating the temporarily bonded laminate material at a temperature lower than the recrystallization temperature of the stainless steel to thermally diffuse at least a metal element comprised in the stainless steel into the aluminum.