DIFFUSION-BONDED MOKUME GANE DECORATIVE METAL LAMINATES

Vacuum diffusion bonding has been used successfully to fabricate a ran ge of new metal combinations suitable for Mokume Gane use. New metal s ystems of mutual solubility, mutual insolubility, and highly reactive couples can be used, greatly extending the range of colours available. Kirkendall porosity occurs during the fabrication of many material co uples, but this is normally, closed during subsequent rolling. If brit tle intermetallics form at the laminate interfaces, delamination map o ccur during forging and lolling. However; with care, usable laminates can he rolled to sheet. Laminates which contain metals of very differe nt mechanical properties undergo internal fracture during rolling, and this is shown to be the result of internal tensile stresses generated during the rolling operation.