Novel thermoplastic bonding using a bulk metallic glass solder

A novel thermoplastic bonding concept is demonstrated based on the unique rheological behavior and pattern-replicating ability of bulk metallic glass (BMG)-forming liquids. In this approach, the BMG is heated above Tg to the “supercooled liquid” region while a small normal force is applied to the joint. This results in liquid reflow, wetting and a strong bond. Complete wetting between copper substrates and a layer of platinum-based BMG leads to an atomistically intimate void-free interface.