Electrodiffusion bonding of aluminum to glass

Strong Al-glass bonds are obtained by low temperature electrodiffusion process (1). The electric field used during formation of the bond allows to perform sealing in temperatures far below the softening point of the sodium silicate glass. The electric forces keep the joined surfaces of glass and Al in intimate contact during process, so there is no need to use external pressure to the joined parts. Bonding time is typically about 1 minute. Such parameters of bonding process allow to perform seals with no deformation of glass. The strength of electrodiffusion seals is about a typical value of bonds obtained by conventional methods. We propose structural model of the bonding process. Electron-microprobe studies, photo-electron spectroscopy and strength investigations were made to confirm the proposed model.