Researchers' Metallic Glue May Stick it to Soldering and Welding

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

“The standard polymer glue does not function at high temperatures or high pressures, but the metallic glue does. The standard glue is not a great conductor of heat and/​or electricity, but the metallic glue is. Furthermore, the standard glue is not very resistant to air or gas leaks, but the metallic glue is.

“‘Hot’ processes like soldering and welding can result in metallic connections that are similar to those produced with the metallic glue, but they cost much more. In addition, the high temperature nec­es­sary for these processes has deleterious effects on neighboring components, such as junctions in semiconductor devices. Such effects can speed up failure and not only increase cost but also prove dan­gerous to users.”

What are some applications of the technology?

“The metallic glue has multiple applications, many of them in the electronics industry. As a heat conductor, it may replace the thermal grease currently being used, and as an electrical conductor, it may replace today’s solders. Particular products include solar cells, pipe fittings, and components for computers and mobile devices.”

A schematic illustrating applications of metallic glue: a) A CPU on a printed circuit board connected to a heat sink. b) A surface mount device being attached to a printed cir­cuit board. c) A press-​​fit pipe fitting for environments where welding is dangerous or impossible. d) A glass plate being attached to metal with a different thermal-​​expansion coefficient to cover a cavity with a hermetic seal.  

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