Ceramic to metal direct brazing is used to manufacture the plasma facing components of thermonuclear fusion reactors. Carbon base refractory tiles (graphite, C-C composite) are brazed onto cooled TZM, steel or copperstructures. In clectrical engineering, alumina parts are brazed in insulators and tight connectors. Brazing of aluminum nitrideis developed for the production of power electronic components.
Due to its high thermal conductivity, good thermal shock behaviour and excellent corrosion resistance, silicon carbide has a potential market in heat exchangers for the high temperature range in acronautical, automotive and power generation industries, and for the medium temperature range in chemical industry. Significant research effort is today devoted to find outbrazing techniques suitable for such applications. In the french-swedish AGATA program, wheel/shaft joining of siliconnitride turbines for hybrid electrical vehicles needs direct brazing technologies.
