Process for joining ceramic parts with a reactive conducting material

A thin metal foil or an array of fine wires or a graphite web, mat or the like, having electrical conductivity was interposed between clean polished surfaces of ceramic parts which are to be joined, with application of pressure. A high current electrical discharge with very short duration puts so much energy into the conducting material that it explosively vaporizes and penetrates interacts with the ceramic before the ceramic can absorb an appreciable amount of heat and before the hot material can undesirably react with the surrounding atmosphere, so that an inert atmosphere is not necessary for the process. Metals that form silicides and/or carbides are for e.g. desirable for connecting SiC parts and conducting forms of carbon such as graphite are also suitable. Precoating the surfaces to be joined, with reactive or reaction-promoting material as well as a thermal treatment of the joint may be favorable.