Superplastic Diffusion Bonding in Ceramics

Recent developments of superplastic ceramics brought about various possibilities for manufacturing techniques in ceramic industry. Superplastic forming (SPF) and SPF concurrent with diffusion bonding (SPF/DB) of metals have been already accepted and used in aerospace industry. The similar developments can be anticipated in ceramic technology also. This paper will give an overview on fundamentals and characteristics of SPF/DB method, and will make a comparison between techniques for metals and that for ceramics. The diffusion bonding of ZrO2/Al2O3 composites, mullite/ZrO2 composite, and Al2O3/TiN composite is described as examples. The fabrication of functionally gradient material will be demonstrated as an application of SPF/DB for ceramics.