A method of providing an end-capped tubular ceramic composite for containing nuclear fuel (34) in a nuclear reactor involves the steps of providing a tubular ceramic composite (40), providing at least one end plug (14, 46, 48), applying (42) the at least one end plug material to the ends of the tubular ceramic composite, applying electrodes to the end plug and tubular ceramic composite and applying current in a plasma sintering means (10, 50) to provide a hermetically sealed tube (52). The invention also provides a sealed tube made by this method.

A method for the joining of ceramic pieces includes applying a layer of titanium on a first ceramic piece and applying a layer of titanium on a second ceramic piece; applying a layer of nickel on each of the layers of titanium on the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece; applying a layer of nickel phosphorous to each of the layers of nickel on the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece; assembling the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece with the layers of titanium, nickel, and nickel phosphorous therebetween; pressing the layer of nickel phosphorous of the first ceramic piece against the layer of nickel phosphorous of the second ceramic piece; heating the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece to a joining temperature in a vacuum; and cooling the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece. A hermetic seal is formed between the first ceramic piece and the second ceramic piece.

The present disclosure relates to a method for producing an acoustic attenuation panel having two outer skins made from a composite material with a ceramic matrix containing a fibrous reinforcement. The skins are assembled on each side of a central honeycomb core having walls forming acoustic cavities produced by at least partial electrochemical conversion of aluminum into aluminum oxide. The method includes inserting a fugitive filler material into the acoustic cavities, leaving an annular space free in each cavity, on each side against the skin, extending around the cavity, and a step of sintering the composite material, in which the fugitive material is removed and the spaces around the cavities are filled with the composite material.

An assembly including a ceramic body. The assembly comprises a tungsten coupling attached to the ceramic body with a first joint that forms a first helium tight seal between the ceramic body and the tungsten coupling and where the first helium tight seal maintains its integrity at a temperature over 400 C. The assembly includes a metal body attached to the tungsten coupling with a second joint that forms a second helium tight seal between the metal body and the tungsten coupling and where the second helium tight seal maintains its integrity at a temperature over 400 C. A method. A mixture. A coupling.

A method of reinforcing a ceramic sandwich structure includes forming a ceramic core, assembling the sandwich structure by disposing the core between and in physical contact with a first panel and a second panel, and weaving a plurality of z-fibers at least partially through a thickness of the sandwich structure.

A high strength joint material. A material for a joint between a ceramic body and a metal body. A material for a joint between a ceramic body and a ceramic body.

One aspect provides an implantable medical device with a housing having an opening with an opening width. A feedthrough is provided, including an insulator having a bottom surface and side surfaces and having an insulator width between opposing side surfaces that is greater than the opening width. A sinter joint is between at least one of the bottom surface, top surface, and side surfaces of the insulator and the housing which hermetically seals the insulator to the housing without an intervening ferrule.

A method for the joining of ceramic pieces with a hermetically sealed joint comprising brazing a layer of joining material between the two pieces. The wetting and flow of the joining material is controlled by the selection of the joining material, the joining temperature, the joining atmosphere, and other factors. The ceramic pieces may be aluminum nitride and the pieces may be brazed with an aluminum alloy under controlled atmosphere. The joint material is adapted to later withstand both the environments within a process chamber during substrate processing, and the oxygenated atmosphere which may be seen within the shaft of a heater or electrostatic chuck.

A method for the joining of ceramic pieces with a hermetically sealed joint comprising brazing a layer of joining material between the two pieces. The wetting and flow of the joining material is controlled by the selection of the joining material, the joining temperature, the joining atmosphere, and other factors. The ceramic pieces may be on a non-diffusable type, such as aluminum nitride, alumina, beryllium oxide, and zirconia, and the pieces may be brazed with an aluminum alloy under controlled atmosphere. The joint material is adapted to later withstand both the environments within a process chamber during substrate processing, and the oxygenated atmosphere which may be seen within the shaft of a heater or electrostatic chuck.

One aspect provides an implantable medical device with a housing having an opening with an opening width. A feedthrough is provided, including an insulator having a bottom surface and side surfaces and having an insulator width between opposing side surfaces that is greater than the opening width. A sinter joint is between at least one of the bottom surface, top surface, and side surfaces of the insulator and the housing which hermetically seals the insulator to the housing without an intervening ferrule.