Pressure Sintering Connection Without Direct Thermal Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure sintering methods for joining partners often require direct thermal contact and specialized process gases, limiting the use of sintering agents with precious metal components and achieving optimal sintering connections.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that apply pressure of over 5 MPa between a first and second joining partner using a lower and upper tool, with the sintering agent initially at room temperature, heated by a lower tool without direct thermal contact, and subjected to increased temperature and pressure to form a sintered metal connection, allowing for the use of sintering agents with non-precious metal particles and potentially precious metals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If direct thermal contact is used between the heating apparatus and the joining group, then heating efficiency is improved, but the ability to use sintering agents with precious metal components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas-tight seal as an intermediary element between the heating apparatus and the joining group. This seal creates a controlled atmosphere that allows indirect heating while preventing contamination of precious metal sintering agents, thus resolving the contradiction between heating efficiency and material compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert or controlled atmosphere environment within the gas-tight seal during the sintering process. This protective atmosphere prevents unwanted chemical reactions with precious metal components while still allowing effective heat transfer to the joining group
2Reliability
If specialized process gases are used during pressure sintering, then the quality of sintered connections is improved, but the process complexity and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies controlled pressure parameters (more than 5 MPa) as a primary control mechanism to achieve high-quality sintered connections without relying heavily on specialized process gases. By optimizing pressure as a parameter, the process simplifies gas requirements while maintaining connection quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or removes the requirement for complex specialized process gases from the sintering process. By using a gas-tight seal that can operate with simpler or no process gases, the system reduces process complexity while maintaining sintering quality through controlled pressure and temperature
3Strength
If high pressure (more than 5 MPa) is applied during sintering, then the strength of the sintered connection is improved, but the risk of deformation or damage to joining partners deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary heating to the joining group before applying high pressure (more than 5 MPa) during the sintering process. This preliminary thermal preparation softens or prepares the materials, allowing the subsequent high pressure to create strong connections without causing deformation or damage to the joining partners
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 enables the formation of strong, high-quality sintered metal connections without direct thermal contact and specialized gases, effectively utilizing a wide range of metal particles, including those with precious metals, while maintaining control over pressure and temperature profiles.
Implementation Method 1
The sintering agent is heated by means of a heating apparatus, preferably arranged in a lower tool of the device
Implementation Method 2
The sintering agent is converted into a sintering metal by additional pressure and a materially bonded sintering connection is formed between the joining partners
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for pressure sintering connection of a joining group composed of a first and a second joining partner by means of a device with a lower tool and an upper tool having the steps: providing the joining group at room temperature as an initial temperature, arranging the joining group between the supporting surface and the pressure surface, wherein the joining group has no direct thermal contact with the supporting surface and no direct thermal contact with the pressure surface, introducing pressure onto the joining group, wherein at the start of the introduction of pressure the starting temperature of the joining group is no more than 100K above an initial temperature; increasing the temperature of the sintering agent by at least 50K above the starting temperature; ending the introduction of pressure.