| abstract |
An apparatus and a method for bonding a first carbon composite (86) to a second carbon composite (88) through a reactant layer (20) includes a housing, and a pair of conductive press plates electrically isolated from the housing (12). The press plates (74, 78) are adapted to position the two parts to be bonded with a reactant layer therebetween. The press plates are subjected to an electrical potential and a clamping force, sufficient to initiate a combustion reaction that creates a molten ceramic to bond together the carbon-carbon composites. |