Specialist joining technologies supporting internal UKAEA development, high-tech industry and research institutions globally
Vacuum Brazing / Heat Treatment
3 Vacuum Furnaces
Working volume:
Up to 1.4 x 0.9 x 0.7m
Maximum temperature:
Up to 1190C
Vacuum pressure:
<1E-5mBar (cold), <1E-3mBar (peak)
Vacuum quality:
Leak up rate <5microns/h (<6E-3mBar/h). Suitable for titanium.
Partial pressure options:
~0.1mBar Nitrogen or Argon
Hot-zones:
All-metal molybdenum / graphite
Options:
Fully programmable, residual gas analysis, 3-point calibrated thermocouple, calibrated pressure gauge, thermal uniformity survey
Diffusion Bonding
2x 500C diffusion bonding furnaces
Working volume:
Up to 200mm diameter x 300mm length
Maximum temperature & load:
Up to 500C at 5000kg load
Vacuum pressure:
<1E-5mBar (cold), <1E-3mBar (peak)
Vacuum quality:
Leak up rate <5microns/h (<6E-3mBar/h). Suitable for titanium.
Partial pressure options:
None
Hot-zones:
All-metal molybdenum
Options:
Residual gas analysis, 3-point calibrated thermocouple, calibrated pressure gauge, thermal uniformity survey
Electron Beam Welding
2x Electron beam welders (60kV)
Working volume:
Up to 500mm length scale
Maximum power:
3kW (50mA @ 60kV)
Vacuum pressure:
<1E-5mBar (cold), <1E-3mBar (peak)
Vacuum quality:
Suitable for titanium.
Options:
CNC weld patterns, residual gas analysis, 3-point calibrated thermocouple, calibrated pressure gauge
Air Furnaces
3x air furnaces
Working volume:
Up to W 300 x L 450 x H 600 mm
Maximum temperature:
Up to 1100C
Options:
3-point calibrated thermocouple, thermal uniformity
Thin Film Coating
1x Electron beam evaporator, 1x Magnetron sputterer
Working volume:
Up to 300mm dia x 30mm height
Coating materials:
Titanium, Gold, Aluminium, Copper, Nickel (many more on request)
Coating thickness:
Up to 10 microns
Vacuum pressure:
<1E-5mBar
Vacuum quality:
Suitable for titanium.
Options:
Ar ion sputtering, multi-layer coatings, residual gas analysis, calibrated pressure gauge
Other manufacturing
RF brazing / localised heating
Spot welding
Orbital TIG welding (Swagelok M200)
Assembly in ISO clean room conditions
Testing
Helium leak testing – Ambient or elevated temperatures
Thermal cycling – 300C in air or 1100C in vacuum
High heat flux testing by EB or RF heating
Optical stress bi-refringence / polarisation
Bespoke solutions – Thermal shock
