Manufacturing Breakthrough : Scientists Develops New Technique To Weld Metal To Glass

It’s an idea that sounds like it would never work – but, scientists now say they’ve developed a way to weld glass and metal together.

In a new study, researchers have revealed a method that uses an ultrafast laser system to combine the two materials, in what’s being described as a ‘breakthrough’ for manufacturing.

The Heriot-Watt University technology provides very short pulses of infrared light in tracks along the materials to fuse them together.

Researchers believe the new process could transform the manufacturing sector and have uses in the aerospace, defence, optical technology and even healthcare fields.

Professor Duncan Hand, director of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Laser-based Production Processes, said: ‘Traditionally, it has been very difficult to weld together dissimilar materials like glass and metal due to their different thermal properties.

‘The high temperatures and highly different thermal expansions involved cause the glass to shatter.

‘Being able to weld glass and metals together will be a huge step forward in manufacturing and design flexibility.

‘At the moment, equipment and products that involve glass and metal are often held together by adhesives, which are messy to apply and parts can gradually creep, or move.

‘Outgassing is also an issue – organic chemicals from the adhesive can be gradually released and can lead to reduced product lifetime.’

HOW DID SCIENTISTS WELD METAL TO GLASS?