Neutron diffraction and finite-element analysis of thermal residual stresses on diffusion-bonded silicon carbide-molybdenum joints

Various approaches can be used to minimize residual stresses in ceramic-metal joining, such as a refractory-metal interlayer in a hot-pressed joint. Nonetheless, it is still necessary to characterize the stresses at and near the interface between the interlayer and the ceramic, as a function of the hot-pressing parameters, This study combines two techniques to assess the stress distribution of hot-pressed silicon carbide-molybdenum joints: neutron diffraction and finite-element (FEM) analysis. The results demonstrate that the joining temperature greatly influences the final stress distribution, and that significant stress accommodation is achieved by controlling the cooling rate of the diffusion couples. FEM analysis provides a broad view of stress distribution profiles, whereas experimental stress values that are obtained via neutron diffraction allow a better assessment of the effects of parameters that are not easily reproduced using a mathematical model.