Ceramics at TWI

Facilities

TWI's team of ceramic specialists - consisting of experienced professional scientists, engineers and technical staff - is backed up by extensive laboratory facilities and the total resources of TWI which is one of Europe's largest independent research and Technology organisations.

Electrostatic bonding

The Electrostatic Bonding equipment was designed and built at TWI. The equipment incorporates cartridge heated Nimonic Platens which can be heated to 600°C and a pneumatic pressurising system enables the use of loads up to 7kN during bonding. Voltages up to a maximum 3kV can be applied across the components during the bonding sequence, with a maximum current of 30mA. Components up to 75mm in diameter can be bonded using this equipment.

Sputter coating

Substrates up to 100mm in diameter may be coated to a reasonable degree of uniformity with a variety of materials including; aluminium, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, silver, titanium and zirconium.

Diffusion bonding/hot press

TWI has three diffusion-bonding presses, two radiant heated and the other using induction. The specifications for this equipment are summarised below.

DB5
Area of bonding 150x150x300mm
Max Temp 1850°C
Maximum Load 70KN
Vacuum 10e-4mbar

DB6
Area of bonding 100mm diameter x100mm height
Max temp > 1600°C heated using Rf coil
Maximum Load 10KN

DB7
Area of bonding 300x300mm square bonding area and 400mm height
Max temp 2000°C
Max Load 110KN

Surface profilometry

Surface measurement equipment capable of measuring surface profiles and roughness to an accuracy of 0.1mm.

Vacuum brazing furnaces

VB1
Chamber size: 250x200mm diameter
Maximum temperature 1200°C
Vacuum 10e-5mbar
Fast cool facility

VB2
Chamber size 250 x 300mm diameter
Max Temp 1350-1400°C
Vacuum 10e-5mbar

Induction/torch brazing

Induction - in vacuum, with inert gas, or with fluxes, with a temperature capability of 1400°C;

Torch/Flame - various torches with different fuel/gas mixtures.

Air furnaces

AF1 and AF2
Dimensions: 120x120x300mm
Max Temp: 1600°C

AF3
Dimensions: 350x280x600mm
Max temp 1200°C

AF4
Dimensions: 150x270x200mm
Max temp: 1800°C

Tube furnace

Tube diameter 70mm
Hot zone length approximately 200mm
Any atmosphere can be used
Max temp: 1600°C