Joining advanced ceramics by plastic flow

Al2O3/Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) and La0.85Sr0.15MnO3 ceramics were joined by plastic deformation at 1200–1350 °C. Pieces were joined directly to each other or with an interlayer. For some of the Al2O3/YSZ specimens, the interlayer was applied by spraying of powders entrained in an organic vehicle. All final joints were as dense as the host ceramics and generally featured finer grain sizes. When dissimilar compositions were joined, thermal residual stresses were generated. Choice of composition could tailor these stresses and produce joints that were as strong as the surrounding ceramics. Strength of the Al2O3/YSZ joints and the electrical resistivity of a joint in La0.85Sr0.15MnO3 were as good as those of the host ceramics.