A method of forming an assembly in which a metal extension element is connected with a metal stub element, by an intermediate element. The intermediate element extends between first and second ends. The intermediate element is positioned to locate its first end spaced apart from the stub element. An inner end of the extension element is spaced apart from the second end of the intermediate element. Heating elements are located between the elements, to heat the proximal portions of the elements to a hot working temperature, at which the heated portions are subject to plastic deformation. The heating elements are removed, and while the intermediate element is rotating, the first end is urged against the stub element to bond the intermediate element with the stub element. While the extension element is rotating, the inner end is urged against the second end to bond the extension element and the intermediate element.

In some implementations, an apparatus comprises a pipe, a stud that is forge-welded to the pipe, creating a forge-welded stud, a bracket that is operably coupled to the forge-welded stud, and a ladder support operably coupled to the bracket.

In some implementations, an apparatus comprises a pipe, a stud that is forge-welded to the pipe, creating a forge-welded stud, a bracket that is operably coupled to the forge-welded stud, and a ladder support operably coupled to the bracket.

Provided is a metal jointed body, joined by solid-phase joining in the atmosphere, in which no protrusion of molten joining material occurs, that improves dimensional stability. A metal jointed body is formed by (A) making Ag films of two metal laminated bodies opposed to each other, the metal jointed body being configured by sequentially laminating a Zn film and an Ag film on an Al substrate serving as a member to be joined, and (B) bringing the Ag films into contact with each other, then (C) heating is performed while pressurizing, and closely adhering and solid-phase joining the Ag films to each other. The completed metal jointed body is a portion where Al—Ag alloy layers are provided on both sides of an Ag—Zn—Al alloy layer to join the Al substrates to each other.

A wire guide module for an ultrasonic wire bonder, comprising a body made of a thermally stable metallic and/or ceramic material, wherein an elongated wire feed-through channel having a wire inlet opening and having a wire outlet opening is provided on the body, and comprising a guide tube provided in the wire feed-through channel. In addition, the invention relates to a thermosonic wire bonder having a wire guide module.

A wire guide module for an ultrasonic wire bonder, comprising a body made of a thermally stable metallic and/or ceramic material, wherein an elongated wire feed-through channel having a wire inlet opening and having a wire outlet opening is provided on the body, and comprising a guide tube provided in the wire feed-through channel. In addition, the invention relates to a thermosonic wire bonder having a wire guide module.

A method of bonding two or more metallic components into a single piece. The bonding surfaces of the metallic components are protected from reaction with the environment. A force is applied to the metallic components to push the bonding surfaces together. Simultaneous with applying the force, an electric current is passed through the bonding surfaces to joule heat and weld the bonding surfaces together to form the single piece. The bonding surfaces may be protected by plating with a noble metal, applying a coating, shielding with a noble gas, or placing into a vacuum. A press may be used to apply the force. The force and the electric current may be sufficient to push out metal around the joint of the bonding surfaces, and at least one of the bonding surfaces may be drafted to facilitate pushing out the metal. The electric current may be pulsed to induce electroplasticity.

A method of securing an insert in a preselected region of a workpiece. An opening wall is formed in the workpiece with an opening wall surface defining an opening to produce a remainder segment of the workpiece. The opening encompasses or coincides with the preselected region. An insert is provided to fit in the opening. An insert heated portion and a remainder segment heated portion are heated to a hot working temperature, at which they are plastically deformable. While the insert is subjected to an engagement motion, to move the insert relative to the remainder segment, an insert engagement surface of the insert is pressed against the opening wall surface, for plastic deformation of the insert heated portion and of the remainder segment heated portion, creating a metallic bond between the insert and the remainder segment. The insert and the remainder segment are allowed to cool, to bond them together.

A method of securing an insert in a preselected region of a workpiece. An opening wall is formed in the workpiece with an opening wall surface defining an opening to produce a remainder segment of the workpiece. The opening encompasses or coincides with the preselected region. An insert is provided to fit in the opening. An insert heated portion and a remainder segment heated portion are heated to a hot working temperature, at which they are plastically deformable. While the insert is subjected to an engagement motion, to move the insert relative to the remainder segment, an insert engagement surface of the insert is pressed against the opening wall surface, for plastic deformation of the insert heated portion and of the remainder segment heated portion, creating a metallic bond between the insert and the remainder segment. The insert and the remainder segment are allowed to cool, to bond them together.

A method of manufacturing metal matrix composite (MMC) parts, including the steps of applying a metallic sheath around a bundle of MMC laminates, heating the bundle of MMC laminates in the metallic sheath at a curing or fusing temperature to consolidate the bundle of MMC laminates into a single cured or fused part, and then cooling the cured or fused part. The bundle of MMC laminates may be formed by removing surface contamination from the dry reinforcement fibers, creating a plurality of individual MMC laminates by plating dry reinforcement fibers with electroless nickel, and/or electrodeposited nickel or cobalt, and stacking each of the plurality of individual MMC laminates into a bundle. Autocatalytic and/or electroplating may be used as the primary means to incorporate fiber reinforcement into the metal matrix composite by covering and bonding fiber reinforcement into MMC laminates/plies and/or 3-D woven parts.