Method and apparatus for the microwave joining of nonoxide ceramic items

摘要

A method for joining together two nonoxide ceramic items involves a preliminary step of either creating a vacuum or overpressurizing a cavity, followed by the steps of applying microwave radiation to the ceramic items, simultaneously applying compressive forces to the ceramic items in order to force such ceramic items together, and continually monitoring the joint being formed between the two ceramic items. An apparatus of four basic elements carries out the method. These elements are a vacuum/overpressurization system; a single mode microwave applicator; a compressive force applicator; and a nondestructive evaluator for monitoring the formation of the joint.