cold weld
Contactless heat bonding
Cold weld refers to the bonding of two metal surfaces without heat, occurring when atomically clean metals contact each other under pressure or in a vacuum.
In space, where oxide layers can't form, unprotected metal parts may fuse unexpectedly: The satellite's antenna cold welded to its housing.
The phenomenon is exploited industrially to join metals that don't tolerate heat well.
State of clinging fast
- cohesionTendency to bind together
- fusionJoining into unity
- intermetallicOrdered compound of metals
- solid-stateUsing semiconductors, not tubes
interface · contact · plastic deformation · metal-to-metal · junction
Extremely weak gravitational force
- orbitalRevolving around another
- ISSOrbiting multinational research facility
- spacewalkVenturing outside a spacecraft
- EVAActivity outside spacecraft
extravehicular · docking · satellite · galling · deployment · solar array · antenna · hinge
Conductive junction point
Releasing trapped gas
- vacuum chamberEnclosure with removed atmosphere
- cryogenicExtremely low temperature
- sputteringParticle ejection from surfaces
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
adhesion
State of clinging fast
- cohesionTendency to bind together
- fusionJoining into unity
- intermetallicOrdered compound of metals
solid-state · interface · contact · plastic deformation · metal-to-metal · junction
microgravity
Extremely weak gravitational force
- orbitalRevolving around another
- ISSOrbiting multinational research facility
- spacewalkVenturing outside a spacecraft
EVA · extravehicular · docking · satellite · galling · deployment · solar array · antenna · hinge · lunar module
electrical contact
Conductive junction point
outgassing
Releasing trapped gas
- vacuum chamberEnclosure with removed atmosphere
- cryogenicExtremely low temperature
- sputteringParticle ejection from surfaces