Using nanoscale electrical-discharge-induced rapid Joule heating, we developed a method for ultrafast shape change and joining of small-volume materials. Shape change is dominated by surface-tension-driven convection in the transient liquid melt, giving an extremely high strain rate of ~106 s–1. In addition, the heat can be dissipated in small volumes within a few microseconds through thermal conduction, quenching the melt back to the solid state with cooling rates up to 108 K·s-1. We demonstrate that this approach can be utilized for the ultrafast welding of small-volume crystalline Mo (a refractory metal) and amorphous Cu49Zr51 without introducing obvious microstructural changes, distinguishing the process from bulk welding.
Publications
Article type
Year
Research Article
Issue
Nano Research 2015, 8(7): 2143-2151
Published: 17 July 2015
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