Diffusion bonded Mokumé Gane decorative metal laminates

Vacuum diffusion bonding has been used successfully to fabricate a range of new metal combinations suitable for Mokumé Gane use. New metal systems 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 couples, but this is normally closed during subsequent rolling. If brittle intermetallics form at the laminate interfaces, delamination may occur during forging and rolling. However, with care, usable laminates can be rolled to sheet. Laminates which contain metals of very different mechanical properties undergo internal fracture during rolling, and this is shown to be the result of internal tensile stresses generated during the rolling operation. © 1998 The Institute of Materials.