Knowledge Bank

Diffusion Bonding is a solid-state welding process in which two or more materials are bonded together into one seamless structure under high temperature, vacuum, and pressure conditions without requiring any external fixations. This process allows for the creation of complex structures impregnated with substances that possess qualities comparable to their base components, while at the same time, producing negligible adverse effects on the final product's material properties. For example, design limitations in radiation shielding for spacecraft commonly require the structures to possess low weight and exceptional material properties when produced. This investigation evaluated the interdiffusion regions in and around the bond of 316L stainless steel with boron carbide while supporting and validating the creation of the first physically bonded sample between the two materials. This research assists and grows the current work put into Diffusion Bonding as an additive manufacturing technique, strengthening its use in aerospace, nuclear, and manufacturing applications.