Joining of materials with millimetre-wave beam source

An 83 GHz gyrotron-based, millimetre-wave beam system is being used for a range of material processing. One very promising application of this technology is in joining of ceramic and ceramic composite materials and has unique advantages over competitive techniques. The significant advantage is localisation of heating, with the millimetre-wave beam controlled by reflective optics, permitting inexpensive fixturing and instrumentation and minimising thermal damage to components. Another is the possibility of depositing energy specifically in a narrow joint region, through a guided wave effect. A corollary advantage of the process is the possibility of very rapid thermal cycling during joining, minimising thermal degradation of materials being joined.