Title of Invention	JOINED BODIES AND HIGH-PRESSURE DISCHARGE LAMPS .
Abstract	A joined body of a first member (7) made of a metal and a second member (4, 1a) made of a ceramic or a cermet, wherein said joined body comprises a joining portion (6) interposed between said first member and said second member for joining said first and second members, said joining portion comprising a main phase (14) contacting said first; member and an intermediate ceramic composition layer (13) contacting said second member and existing between said second member and said main phase, and said main phase comprising a porous bone structure (15) with open pores and made of a sintered product of powder of a metal, and said main phase further comprising a ceramic composition layer (10) impregnated into said open pores in said porous bone structure, characterized in that each of said intermediate ceramic composition layer and said impregnated ceramic composition layer has a crystallinity of more than 50%.

Title of Invention

JOINED BODIES AND HIGH-PRESSURE DISCHARGE LAMPS .

Abstract

A joined body of a first member (7) made of a metal and a second member (4, 1a) made of a ceramic or a cermet, wherein said joined body comprises a joining portion (6) interposed between said first member and said second member for joining said first and second members, said joining portion comprising a main phase (14) contacting said first; member and an intermediate ceramic composition layer (13) contacting said second member and existing between said second member and said main phase, and said main phase comprising a porous bone structure (15) with open pores and made of a sintered product of powder of a metal, and said main phase further comprising a ceramic composition layer (10) impregnated into said open pores in said porous bone structure, characterized in that each of said intermediate ceramic composition layer and said impregnated ceramic composition layer has a crystallinity of more than 50%.

Full Text	JOINED BODIES AND HIGH-PRESSURE DISCHARGE LAMPS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention [0001] The present invention relates to a joined body, particularly relates to a high pressure discharge lamp using a ceramic discharge tube. 2. Description of the Related Art [0002] A high pressure discharge lamp has a ceramic discharge tube with two end portions, in which sealing members (usually referred to as a ceramic plug) are inserted, respectively, to seal the respective end portions. A through hole is formed in each sealing member and a metal member, to which a predetermined electrode system is attached, is inserted within the through hole. An ionizable light-emitting material is introduced and sealed within the inner space of the discharge tube. Known high pressure discharge lamps include a high pressure sodium vapor and metal halide lamps, the latter exhibiting more superior color coordination. The lamp may be used in high temperature condition by forming the discharge tube by a ceramic material. [0003] In such discharge lamp, it is necessary to air-tightly seal between the end portion of the ceramic discharge tube and a member for supporting an electrode system. The ceramic discharge tube has a main body with a shape of a tube with two narrow ends, or a barrel, or a straight tube. The ceramic discharge tube is made of, for example, alumina sintered body. [0004] Specification of Japanese patent application No. 178,415/1999 (EPO EP0982278, A1) discloses the following structure. The joining portion between the end portion of a ceramic discharge tube and a member for supporting an electrode system comprises main phase contacting the discharge tube, and an intermediate ceramic layer contacting the supporting member and existing between the supporting member and the main phase. The main phase is composed of a porous bone structure, with open pores and made of a sintered product of metal powder, and ceramic phase impregnated into the open pores in said porous bone structure. Herewith, such joined structure has improved air- tightness and resistance to corrosion, and repeated thermal cycles does not result in the fracture of the joined structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The inventor further examined the above sealing structure and, therefore, achieved to provide a joined structure having resistance to fatigue and fracture, even when the structure is subjected to repeated thermal cycles between a high temperature, for example 1000°C or higher, and room temperature. [0006] That is, it is an object of the invention to provide a joined structure having resistance to fatigue and fracture, even when the structure is subjected to repeated thermal cycles between a high temperature, for example 1000°C or higher, and room temperature. [0007] It is another object of the invention to apply such joined structure to a high pressure discharge lamp, for improving the resistance to a corrosive gas, such as a metal halide, and the air-tightness and for avoiding the fracture of the joined structure due to repeated cycles of turning-ons and turning-offs. [0008] The present invention provides a joined body of a first member made of a metal and a second member made of a ceramic or a cermet. The joined body comprises a joining portion interposed between the first member and the second member for joining the first and second members, wherein the joining portion comprises main phase contacting the first member and an intermediate ceramic composition layer contacting the second member and existing between the second member and the main phase. The main phase is composed of a porous bone structure, made of a sintered product of metal powder and with open pores, and ceramic composition layer impregnated into the open pores in the porous bone structure. Each of the intermediate ceramic composition layer and said impregnated ceramic composition layer has a crystallinity of more than 50%. [0009] The present invention further provides a ceramic discharge lamp comprising: a ceramic discharge tube with an inner space formed therein and end portions, the inner space being filled with an ionizable light-emitting material and a starter gas and an opening being formed within the end portion; an electrode system provided within the inner space; a sealing member with a through hole formed therein, a part of the sealing member being fixed within the opening of the ceramic discharge tube; and a metal member; wherein the metal member and the sealing member constitute the above air-tight joined body. The metal member is the first member and the sealing member is the second member. [0010] The present invention further provides a ceramic discharge lamp comprising: a ceramic discharge tube with an inner space formed therein and end portions, the inner space being filled with an ionizable light-emitting material and a starter gas and an opening being formed within the end portion; an electrode system provided within the inner space; and a metal member; wherein the metal member and the ceramic discharge tube constitute the above air-tight joined body. The metal member is the first member and the ceramic discharge tube is the second member. [0011] The present invention provides a joined structure of a first member made of a metal, such as molybdenum, and a second member made of a ceramic or a cermet, in which the members may be joined with a high strength, the joined structure has improved air-tightness and resistance to corrosion, and repeated thermal cycles do not result in the fracture of the joined structure. The invention provides a method for manufacturing the same. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS [0012] Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view schematically showing the state wherein a porous bone structure 2 is provided between a sealing member 4 and a metal member 7. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view schematically showing a joined body. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view schematically showing the state wherein a porous bone structure 2 is provided between a sealing member 4 and a metal member 7. Fig. 4 is a photograph, taken by a scanning type electron microscope, showing the joint interface between a metal member and a sealing member. Fig. 5 is a photograph showing an enlarged view of a part of figure 4. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the photograph of figure 4. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the photograph of figure 5. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the relation among the heat resisting temperature, the thermal stress, and the corrosion resistance of the high pressure discharge lamp. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the relation between the crystallinity and the failure rate of a ceramic discharge tube during the thermal cycle test under the temperature of 950°C. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the relation between the crystallinity and the failure rate of a ceramic discharge tube during the thermal cycle test under the temperature of 1050°C. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the relation between the weight% of SiO2 and the crystallinity of a ceramics. Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a layered structure of the joining portion of the joined body of figure 1 and the thermal coefficients of the layers. Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view showing the state wherein a clogging member 19 is inserted within the metal member 7 of the high pressure discharge lamp of figure 1. Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a high pressure discharge lamp after the metal member 7 of figure 12 and a sealing member 19 is joined to form a sealing portion 21. Fig. 15 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a high pressure discharge lamp. Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an embodi- ment of an end portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to the invention, wherein a metal member 7 is joined to the inner wall surface of a sealing member 4 substantially along the full length of the wall. Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an embodiment of an end portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to the invention, wherein a metal member 7 is joined to an end portion la of a discharge tube 1 and a metal element 7 and a metal axis of an electrode system 27 is electrically connected by a metallized layer 32, covering the surface of the end portion la. Fig. 18 is an enlarged view showing the region near a hollow 31 shown in figure 17. Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an end portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein a metal member 7 is joined to an inner wall surface of the end portion la of a discharge tube 1 substantially along the full length of the surface. Fig. 20 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an end portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein a through hole 46 of a sealing member 39 is sealed by a joining portion 6D of the invention. Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an end portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein an opening 40 of an end portion 1a of a discharge tube 1 is sealed by a joining portion 6E of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0013] Figures 1 to 7 are cross sectional views showing an end portion of a high pressure discharge lamp of the invention. [0014] An inner wall surface 1b of an end portion 1a of a ceramic high pressure discharge tube 1 is formed so as to extend straightforwardly in the direction of the central axis of the tube. A part of a sealing member 4 is inserted within an opening 40 of the end portion 1a. 4c is an outer surface and 46 is a through hole of the sealing member 4. [0015] A depression or hollow 9 is formed on the inner wall surface 4a of the sealing member 4. A metal member 7 is held in the hollow 9. In the embodiment, the metal member 7 has a shape of a tube and an opening is formed in its end portion 7d, the opening being sealed after introducing a starter gas and an ionizable light-emitting substance. 7b is an inner surface and 7c is an outer surface of the metal member 7. An inner space of the metal member 7 is commuted with an inner space of the ceramic discharge tube 1 (described below). A protrusion 42 is provided in the sealing member 4 and faces an end portion 7a of the metal member 7. [0016] As shown in figure 1, the inventors provided a porous bone structure 2, made of a sintered product of metal powder and with open pores, between the metal member 7 and sealing member 4. A ceramic material ring was then positioned on the bone structure 2. The melting point of the bone structure 2 is adjusted so as to exceed that of the ceramic material. [0017] When the ceramic material was melted, as schematically shown in figure 2, the inventor found that the melted material was impregnated into the open pores to form main phase 14, comprising the porous bone structure and ceramic composition layer impregnated into the open pores. The inventor further found that the thus melted material is flown into the interface of the sealing member 4 and the main phase 14 so that the bone structure is slightly floated from the surface of the sealing member 4 to form the intermediate ceramic composition layer 13. The main phase 14 and intermediate ceramic composition layer 13 together form a joining portion 6 joining the metal member 7 and sealing member 4. 41 is a joint interface of the sealing member 4. The joining portion 6 extends to the region near the protrusion 42. A joining ceramic composition layer 48 is formed between the protrusion 42 and the end portion 7a of the metal member 7. [0018] As shown in Figure 3, it is also possible to apply a paste ceramic composition 20' at the peripheral of the metal member 7, the bone structure 2 and the sealing member 4 instead of positioning the ceramic material ring 20 on the bone structure 2. [0019] Such structure will be explained referring to scanning type microscopic photographs of figures 4 and 5, and line diagrams of figures 6 and 7. Figure 4 is a photograph showing the region near the interface between the metal member 7 and the sealing member 4, and figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the photograph of figure 4. Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing the photograph of figure 4, and figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the photograph of figure 5. [0020] The intermediate ceramic composition layer 13 and main phase 14 is formed on the surface of the sealing member 4. The main phase 14 is composed of the bone structure 15 and the ceramic composition layer 10 impregnated into open pores of the bone structure 15. The intermediate ceramic composition layer 13 is composed of the same composition as the impregnated ceramic composition layer 10. The main phase 14 of the joining portion 6 is formed on the surface of the metal member 7. In the photograph of the figure 4, the whitish region in the main phase 14 is metallic molybdenum, and gray or black region in the main phase 14 is the impregnated ceramic composition layer. The difference of the brightness in the impregnated ceramic phase shows that the ratio of the components in the ceramic, such as alumina, has been changed microscopically. [0021] In the joined body having the above structure, tensile stresses on the ceramic is dispersed by means of metal particles (porous bone structure) and compression stress on the bone structure is dispersed by means of the ceramic impregnated into its open pores. That is, the different kinds of materials may cooperate with each other to cope with both of the tensile and compression stresses on the joining portion. Further, it is relatively hard to generate cracks in the ceramic materials. In addition, when cracks develop within the ceramic composition layer, such cracks may be interrupted by the porous bone structure made of a metal, thereby preventing the fracture of the joining portion. Further, such main phase comprising the porous bone structure and impregnated ceramic composition layer adheres to the metal member and the intermediate ceramic composition layer strongly adhere to the sealing member. [0022] Further, ceramic components susceptible to corrosion is mainly impregnated into the open pores of the bone structure. [0023] According to the present invention, it is found that there are the thermal stress factor and the corrosion factor in the failure mechanism of the high pressure discharge lamp. It is also found that there are the temperature region in which the thermal stress factor is dominant and the temperature region in which the corrosion factor is dominant. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the relation among the heat resisting temperature, the thermal stress, and the corrosion resistance of the high pressure discharge lamp. As shown in figure 8, the thermal stress factor is dominant at the heat resisting temperature lower than 980°C, preferably equal to or lower than 950°C, and the corrosion factor is dominant at the heat resisting temperature higher than 980°C, preferably equal to or lower than 1050°C. According to the inventor's investigation, it is advantageous for the high pressure discharge lamp to have not less than 50% of the crystallinity in view of the corrosion. [0024] The above mentioned phenomenon can be explained as follows. It is thought that the thermal stress is proportional to the difference between the real temperature and the melting point (the softening temperature) of the object. Therefore, as shown by curve a in figure 8, the contribution to the thermal stress decreases as the heat resisting temperature increases. A substantia] thermal stress does not occur at the temperature equal to or higher than melting point. [0025] On the other hand, as shown by curve b in figure 8, the corrosion (the chemical reaction) decreases as the heat resisting temperature decreases. This is because the activity of an ionizable light-emitting material filled into the discharge tube decreases as the temperature of the discharge tube and thus attacks to the inner wall of the discharge tube and so on decreases. Therefore, at a relatively high temperature, the chemical stabilization of the high pressure discharge lamp increases as the rate of the crystallinity increases. [0026] When the thermal cycle test of the ceramic discharge tube is performed at the 950°C of the temperature in which the thermal stress is dominant in the failure mechanism of the high pressure discharge lamp, the stress relaxation mechanism fully acts and the corrosion is relatively low on condition that the intermediate ceramic composition layer and the impregnated ceramic composition layer of the high pressure discharge lamp has a crystallinity of not more than 50%. This is because the thermal stress is dominant in the failure mechanism of the high pressure discharge lamp when the crystallinity is not more than 50%. As a result, the failure of the high pressure discharge lamp does not occur. On the other hand, it is not advantageous for the high pressure discharge lamp to have not less than 50% of the crystallinity because the stress relaxation mechanism does not fully act. (refer to figure 9) In the thermal cycle test, 1000 times of the thermal cycles was performed. In this case, the temperature of the high pressure discharge lamp was firstly maintained at the room temperature for 15 minutes, subsequently was increased to 1050°C and maintained at 1050°C for 5 minutes, and finally was decreased to the room temperature every thermal cycle. [0027] When the thermal cycle test of the ceramic discharge tube is performed at the 1050°C of the temperature in which the corrosion is dominant in the failure mechanism of the high pressure discharge lamp, the corrosion resistance fully acts and the thermal stress is relatively low on condition that the intermediate ceramic composition layer and the impregnated ceramic composition layer of the high pressure discharge lamp has a crystallinity of more than 50%. As a result, the failure of the high pressure discharge lamp does not occur. On the other hand, it is not advantageous for the high pressure discharge lamp to have not more than 50% of the crystallinity because the corrosion resistance does not fully act. (refer to figure 10) [0028] The following table shows the result in which cubes were arranged into a quarts tube and exposed to DyI3 and ScI3 for 4000 hours at the temperature of 950°C. Each of the cubes has 5 mm of sides and is composed of ceramic compositions of 46%, 54% and 75 a% of the crystallinity. Table 1 [0029] As already stated, when the heat resisting temperature is higher than 980°C, or the crystallinity is more than 50%, the contribution to the corrosion resistance is higher than that to the relaxation of the thermal stress. On the other hand, when the heat resisting temperature is lower than 980°C, or the crystallinity is less than 50%, the contribution to the relaxation of the thermal stress is higher than that to the corrosion resistance. However, If the ionizable light-emitting material contains a main component of a rare earth metal halide, it is prefer to have more than 50% of the crystallinity regardless of the heat resisting temperature because the contribution to the corrosion is relatively high at the temperature lower than 980°C due to the high corrosion thereof. The "main component" herein means a component of an ionizable light-emitting material occupying not less than 15 weight percent of the ionizable light-emitting material except for a starting medium. [0030] According to the present invention, the heat resisting temperature is 1050°C if the crystallinity is 55%. As a result, the present invention can be applied to not only a lamp for general lighting but also a head lamp for vehicle which requires the relatively high heat resisting temperature not less than 1000°C and a severe heat resisting cycle. [0031] The joined body in the present invention is particularly suitable to a high discharge lamp. In this case, such high pressure discharge lamp may be extremely stable to repeated cycles of turning-on and turning-off and a corrosive gas contained within the inner space of a ceramic discharge tube. [0032] In the invention, preferably, an intermediate ceramic composition layer and impregnated ceramic composition layer have the substantially same kind of composition. This means that both belong to the same ingredient system as a whole, thereby improving the strength of the joining portion. The intermediate ceramic composition layer and the impregnated ceramic composition layer further preferably have substantially same composition. This means that the intermediate ceramic composition layer and the impregnated ceramic composition layer are derived from the same material. [0033] The degree of crystallization of the intermediate ceramic composition layer and the impregnated ceramic composition layer is not limited, but may preferably be 80% or more. In such a case, the maximum degree is not limited, and may be 100%. [0034] In order to examine the relation between the rate of the crystallinity and that of the corrosion, cubes were arranged into a quarts tube and exposed to DyI3 and ScI3 for at the temperature of 1000°C, each of the cubes having 5 mm of sides and being composed of ceramic compositions of 60%), 70% and 80% of the crystallinity. The result shows as follows. [0035] As shown in table 2, the corrosion increases as the rate of the crystallinity increases. In other words, the corrosion at 70% of the crystallinity Table 2 is higher than that at 60% of the crystallinity, and the corrosion at 80% of the crystallinity is higher than that at 70% of the crystallinity. Especially, when the crystallinity is 80%, the corrosion can be not more than 20% even if the time to expose the cube reaches 6000 hours. [0036] Each of ceramic constituting the intermediate ceramic composition layer and ceramic constituting the impregnated ceramic composition layer may preferably comprise one or more oxide selected from the group consisting of A12O3, Sc2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3, Dy2O3, H2O3, Tm2O3, SiO2, MoO2 and MoO3 The mixture of not less than two of the oxides may be particularly preferable. Dy2O3-Al2O3, Sc2O3-Al2O3 two eutectic component is more preferable because it has substantially high melting point of the order of 1800°C. [0037] To prevent corrosion caused by the corrosive gas contained within the high pressure discharge lamp over a long term, the composition of SiO2 in each ceramic, which is a relatively corrosive ingredient, may preferably be 15 weight percent or less, and more preferably 5 weight percent or less. As a result, it is possible to control the crystallinity of the ceramics well. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the relation between the weight% of SiO2 and the crystallinity of a ceramics. It shows the relation when it takes 15 minutes to decrease 500°C from the treatment temperature. As shown in figure 11, the crystallinity is not less than 50% when a content of SiO2 of ceramics is less than 15 weight percent. [0038] SiO2 also act as a kind of binder to retain a shape of the ceramic material when this joined body is produced. Therefore, on the view of improving the shape retaining character, SiO2 may preferably be contained 5ppm or more, and more preferably 20ppm or more. [0039] Each ceramic may preferably contain particularly A12O3. On the view point of wettability, each ceramic may preferably contain a main component of the ceramic or cermet constituting the second member. The "main component" herein means a ceramic component constituting 70 weight percent or more of the ceramic or a ceramic component constituting 60 weight percent or more of the cermet. [0040] The followings are the preferred composition ranges. (1) A12O3 10 to 80 weight percent Si2O2 10 weight percent or less (preferably 5ppm or more) Y2O3 0 to 40 weight percent Dy2O3 0 to 50 weight percent B2O3 0 to 10 weight percent MoO3 0 to 10 weight percent (2) Al2O3 10 to 80 weight percent SiO2 0 to 10 weight percent Y2O3 10 to 25 weight percent Dy2O3 10 to 50 weight percent [0041] The metal member may be made of one or more metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, niobium, tantalum and alloys thereof. [0042] Among them, niobium and tantalum have thermal expansion coefficients matching with that of a ceramic, especially alumina ceramic, constituting a ceramic discharge tube. However, it is known that niobium and tantalum are susceptible to corrosion to a metal halide. Therefore, it is desirable to form a metal member by a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium and alloys thereof, for improving the life of the metal member. However, such metals, with high resistance to a metal halide, generally have a low thermal expansion coefficient. For example, alumina ceramic has a thermal expansion coefficient of 8x10-6KT-1 molybdenum has that of 6x10-6K-1 and tungsten and rhenium have those of not more than 6x10-6K-1. In such a case, as described above, the inventive joined structure effectively reduces the stress due to the difference of the thermal expansion coefficients of the metal member and the ceramic discharge tube or the sealing member. [0043] Molybdenum is suitably used for the invented structure in such advantages that it has high resistance to a metal vapor, particularly to a metal halide gas, and that it has high wettability to a ceramic. [0044] When using molybdenum as a material of a metal member, at least one of La2O3 and CeO2 may preferably be added to molybdenum in a ratio of 0.1 to 2.0 weight percent as a total. [0045] A porous bone structure is made of a sintered product of metal powder. The metal powder may preferably be made of a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, niobium, tantalum and the alloys thereof. For further improving the resistance of the structure to a halogen, a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium and the alloys thereof is particularly preferable. [0046] The main components of the metals constituting the metal member and constituting the porous bone structure may preferably be the same and more preferably molybdenum. Such (main component) means that the component constitutes not lower than 60 weight percent of the metal. [0047] The porous bone structure may preferably has a porosity, of open pores, of not lower than 15%, and more preferably not lower than 40%, thus improving the strength of the joining portion. The porosity may preferably be not higher than 80%, and more preferably be not higher than 70%, thus effectively impregnating the ceramic into the open pores of the bone structure and dispersing the stress applied on the structure to improve the resistance thereof to repeated thermal cycles. [0048] The second member or sealing member is made of a ceramic or cermet. The ceramic may preferably be a ceramic alone, selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, yttria, lanthania and zirconia, or the mixed compound thereof. [0049] More particularly, the sealing member may be made of the same or the different kinds of material as that of the ceramic discharge tube. When the electric conductor is made of niobium or tantalum, the ceramic discharge tube and sealing member may preferably be made of the same kind of material, because in this case the thermal expansion coefficient of the electric conductor is approaching those of the ceramic discharge lamp and sealing member. Such (same kind of material) means that their base components of the ceramic materials are the same and the added component or components may be the same or different with each other. [0050] When the metal member is made of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium or the alloys thereof, the difference of the thermal expansion coefficients of the ceramic discharge tube and metal member are relatively increased. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the thermal expansion coefficient of the sealing member between those of the electric conductor and the end portion of the ceramic discharge tube. For that reason, the sealing member may be formed of a cermet. [0051] A cermet is a composite material of a ceramic and a metal. Such ceramic may preferably be a ceramic alone, selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, yttria, lanthania and zirconia, or the mixed compound thereof, and more preferably be the same kind of ceramic as that of the ceramic discharge tube, thereby making it possible to co-fire the ceramic discharge tube and sealing member simultaneously. On this point of view, the ceramic components of the ceramic discharge tube and the cermet may more preferably be alumina ceramic. [0052] The metal component of the cermet may preferably be a metal, having a high temperature melting point and resistance to a metal halide, such as tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium or the like, or the alloys thereof, thus giving the sealing member improved resistance to the metal halide. The cermet may preferably has not lower than 55 weight percent, and more preferably not lower than 60 weight percent, of a ceramic component (the balance is a metal component.). [0053] Preferably, each of a material constituting the intermediate ceramic composition layer and a ceramic constituting the impregnated ceramic composition layer has a melting point not more than a temperature subtracted 200°C from a melting point of a ceramic or a cermet constituting the second member. Thereby, grain boundary crack seldom occurs in the second member. In this case, the melting point of each materials is not less than 1500°C. [0054] The above described joining method may be applied to both ends of a ceramic tube. However, in one end, it is necessary to apply a tubular-shaped metal member for introducing an ionizable light-emitting substance through the inner space of the metal member. In the other end, metal members with various shapes such as a rod, a tube or the like may be applied. [0055] The shape of a ceramic discharge tube is not particularly limited, and includes a tube, a cylinder, a barrel or the like. When the metal member is a tubular shaped member supporting an electrode system, through which an ionizable light-emitting substance is introduced into the inner space of the discharge tube, the electrode-system-supporting member is sealed by laser welding or TIG welding. When using laser welding, for example, Nd/YAG laser is used. In this case, a clearance between the metal member and an electrode to be inserted into the metal member is between 30 to 150µm at a diameter direction because, if the clearance is too wide, there is a tendency to accumulate the light-emitting material in the clearance so that the unevenness of the property increases, on one hand, and if the clearance is too small, the electrode system substantially contacts the electrode-system-supporting member and the thermal stress of the joining portion thereof increases so that there is a tendency to break the joining portion, on the other hand. [0056] In the case of a metal halide high pressure discharge lamp, an inert gas, such as argon, a metal halide and optionally mercury is introduced into the inner space of the ceramic discharge tube. [0057] Figures 1, 2, 3, 12, 13 and 14 show the embodiments of the end portions of the lamp to which the invention is applied. [0058] A joining portion 6 of the invention is interposed between a sealing member 4 and a metal member 7 to join them with each other and to secure air- tightness. [0059] As shown in figure 12, an axis 27 of an electrode system 18 is attached to a clogging member 19 (preferably made of a metal), the electrode system 18 is inserted into the inner space of a ceramic discharge tube and the clogging member 19 is inserted into the inner space of the metal member 7. As shown in figure 13, it is possible to expose a metal end 7a to an inner space of the metal member 7 of the ceramic discharge tube and provide a stopper 48'. As shown in figure 14, an end portion 19a of the clogging member 19 is joined, by means of the above welding or the like, to the metal member 7 to form a sealing portion 21, thereby sealing an ionizable light-emitting substance and a starter gas in the inner space of the ceramic discharge tube from the outer atmosphere and providing an electric power to the electrode system 18 through the clogging member 19. A protrusion 42 functions to position the metal member 7 and to make flow path of the corrosive gas longer. [0060] Figure 15 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a high pressure discharge lamp. A high pressure discharge lamp system 23 has an outer tube 30 generally made of a hard glass, in which a high pressure discharge lamp 1 is contained. The outer tube 30 has both ends sealed with ceramic caps 22. Each clogging member 19 is inserted into and joined with each metal member 7. An outer lead wire 25 is connected with each outer end 19a of each clogging member 19. [0061] In the embodiment shown in figure 16, the sealing member 4 has no protrusion on its inner wall surface. And, the metal member 7 and the inner wall surface of the sealing member 4 is joined substantially along the full length of the through hole 46 of the sealing member 4. 6A is a joining portion, 13A is an intermediate glass layer and 14A is main phase. [0062] In the embodiment shown in figure 17, the inner wall surface lb of the end portion la of the ceramic discharge tube 1 extends straightforwardly in the direction of the main axis of the ceramic discharge tube. A hollow 31 is formed in the end portion 1d of the inner wall surface 1b of the end portion 1a. An end portion 7a of a metal member 7 is supported in the hollow 31. A joining portion 6B is interposed between the discharge tube 1 and the metal member 7 and join them with each other in the hollow 31 to secure the air- tightness. 32 is a metallized layer. [0063] Figure 18 is an enlarged view of the region near the hollow 31 shown in figure 17. The joining portion 6B comprises main phase 14B contacting the metal member 7 and an intermediate ceramic composition layer 13B contacting the discharge tube 1. The metallized layer 32 covers the inner wall surface lb of the end portion 1 a of the discharge tube 1, further covers the surface of the hollow 31, contacts the edge of the end portion 7a of the metal member 7 and extends to the edge of the joining portion 6B. [0064] The embodiment of figure 19 have no protrusion on the inner wall surface lb of the end portion 1a of the discharge tube 1 and the inner wall surface lb extends substantially straightforwardly. The inner wall surface 1b of the end portion 1a and the metal member 7 are joined with each other substantially along the full length of an opening 40 of the end portion 1 a. 6C is a joining portion, 13C is an intermediate ceramic composition layer and 14C is main phase. [0065] In each embodiment described above, the inventive joining portion is provided between the outer surface of the metal member and the inner wall surface of the end portion of the ceramic discharge tube or the sealing member. In the other words, the above inventive joining portions do not seal the opening in the end portion of the ceramic discharge tube or through hole of the sealing member. However, the inventive joining portion has high resistance to corrosion and therefore may seal the opening of the ceramic discharge tube by itself, by contacting the intermediate ceramic composition layer with the inner 5 wall surface, facing the opening, and by sealing it with the intermediate ceramic composition layer and the main phase with preserved air-tightness. Alternatively, the intermediate ceramic composition layer may be contacted with the inner wall surface, facing the through hole of the sealing member, to seal the through hole by this intermediate ceramic composition layer and the main phase 10 with preserved air-tightness. In these cases, the metal member is joined to the main phase without passing through the joining portion. Figures 20 and 21 relate to such embodiments. [0066] In the embodiment of figure 20, a first sealing member 37 is inserted within an inner surface 38b near an end face 38c of the ceramic discharge tube 15 38 of a high pressure discharge lamp. An outer surface 38a of the discharge tube 38 extends straightforwardly in its longitudinal direction. The thickness of the discharge tube 38 is substantially uniform. A second cylindrical sealing member 39 is inserted within the interior of the first sealing member 37. The sealing members 37 and 39 are made of a ceramic or cermet, same as the 20 sealing members described above. The inventive joining portion 6D is formed within the second sealing member 39. [0067] When forming the joining portion 6D, a porous bone structure is inserted within the sealing member 39. Preferably, a metal member 35 and a metal axis 27, made of molybdenum, is joined to the bone structure in advance. 25 When the outer diameter of the porous bone structure and the inner diameter of the inner wall surface 39a of the sealing member 39 is strictly adjusted to the same value, it might be impossible to insert the bone structure due to the dimension clearance. Preferably, a clearance of 0.05 to 0.10 mm is provided. When inserting the porous bone structure and melting a ceramic material on the 30 bone structure, the ceramic is impregnated into the porous bone structure to form main phase 14D and an intermediate ceramic composition layer 13D is formed in the clearance of the bone structure and sealing member 39. [0068] Consequently, the through hole 46 of the sealing member 39 is substantially sealed by the main phase 14D and the intermediate ceramic composition layer 13D is formed within the clearance between the main phase 14D and the inner wall surface 39a of the sealing member 39. The axis 27 is joined onto the surface, facing the inner space 17, of the main phase 14D and a metal member 35 is joined to the outer surface of the main phase 14D. A ceramic composition layer 45 is further formed within the clearance between the metal member 35 and sealing member 39. [0069] In the embodiment shown in figure 21, as shown in figure 20, the inventive joining portion 6E is formed within an opening 40 of the end portion 1a of the discharge tube 1. [0070] When forming the joining portion 6E, a porous bone structure is inserted into the inner opening 40 of the end portion 1a of the discharge tube 1. A metal member 35 and a metal axis 27 are joined to the bone structure in advance. A clearance, preferably of 0.05 to 0.10 mm, is provided between the outer surface of the bone structure and the inner surface 1b of the discharge tube 1. When inserting the porous bone structure and melting the ceramic material on the bone structure, the melted ceramic is impregnated into the porous bone structure to form main phase 14E and an intermediate glass layer 13E is formed in the clearance between the main phase 14E and the discharge tube 1. [0071] The relation among the clearance between the outer surface of the bone structure and the inner surface of the discharge tube, the insertion of the electrode system (easiness to insert), and the fullness of ceramic composition into the bone structure shows as follows. Table 3 [0072] If the clearance is 0.03 mm, the outer surface of the bone structure makes contacts with the inner surface of the discharge tube and thus the bone structure may be damaged when the electrode system inclines to the insertion direction of thereof. On the other hand, if the clearance is 0.12 mm, the ceramics composition is not filled into the bone structure and thus the ceramics composition may flow downward. [0073] Next, the most preferred process for producing high pressure discharge lamps according to embodiments of the invention will be described. When using a sealing member, powdery raw material (preferably alumina powder) of the sealing member is shaped into a shaped body, with a shape of a ring, of the sealing member. At this stage, it is preferred to press-mold granules, granulated with a spray drier or the like, under a pressure of 2000 to 3000 kgf/cm2. The resulting shaped body may preferably be subjected to dewaxing and calcination to obtain a calcined body, which is then finish-sintered at a temperature between 1600 to 1900°C under reducing atmosphere of a dew point of-15 to 15°C. [0074] The dewaxing process may preferably be carried out at a temperature of 600 to 800°C and the calcination process may preferably be carried out at a temperature of 1200 to 1400°C under reducing atmosphere of hydrogen. The calcination may provide a some degree of strength to the shaped body of the sealing member and facilitate the handling of the sealing member. A hollow may be formed, for example by machining. [0075] Also, metal powder is formulated, crashed, dried, and milled with an added binder, such as ethyl cellulose, acrylic resin or the like, to obtain paste, which is then applied onto the outer surface of the end portion of the metal member and dried at a temperature of 20 to 60°C. The resulting calcined body is sintered under reducing or inert atmosphere or vacuum of a dew point of 20 to 50°C at a temperature of 1200 to 1700°C. [0076] Also, a main body of a ceramic discharge tube is shaped, dewaxed and calcined to obtain a calcined body of the ceramic discharge tube. A pre- sintered body of the sealing member is inserted into the end portion of the resulting calcined body, set at a predetermined position and finish-sintered under reducing atmosphere of a dew point of -15 to 15°C at a temperature of 1600 to 1900°C to obtain a ceramic discharge tube. [0077] Also, powder or frit is pre-formulated to a predetermined ceramic composition, crashed, granulated with an added binder such as polyvinylalcohol or the like, press-molded and dewaxed to obtain molding material. Alternatively, powder or frit for a ceramic is melted and solidified to obtain solid, which is then crashed, granulated with added binder, press-molded and dewaxed. In this case, it is preferred to add 3 to 5 weight percent of a binder to the powder, to press-mold at a pressure of 1 to 5 ton, to dewax at about 700°C and to calcine at a temperature of 1000 to 1200°C. [0078] Such discharge tube, sealing member, metal member, porous bone structure and molding material are assembled as shown in figure 1 and heated to a temperature of 1000 to 1600°c under non-oxidizing atmosphere. [0079] The ceramic discharge lamp as described referring to figures 1 to 7 was produced according to the above process. The ceramic discharge tube and sealing member was made of alumina ceramic, and a pipe made of molybdenum is used as the metal member. Molybdenum powder with an average particle diameter of 3 µm was used as the porous bone structure, and ethyl cellulose is used as a binder. The molybdenum powder had a tap density of 2.9 g/cc. The composition of the impregnated ceramic phase and the intermediate ceramic layer were dysprosium oxide 20 weight percent, lanthanum oxide 17 weight percent, alumina 35 weight percent, yttrium oxide 20 weight percent and silica 8 weight percent. In the resulting joined layer, crystallinity of the ceramic constituting thereof was 80 percent. [0080] The ceramic discharge tube was subjected to a thermal cycle test. Particularly, in one cycle, its temperature is maintained at a room temperature for 15 minutes, increased to 1050°C, maintained at 1050°C for 5 minutes and decreased to a room temperature. 1000 thermal cycles were performed. After that, helium leak test was performed to investigate the leakage of helium. The leak rate was lower than 10-10 atm • cc • sec. [0081] 850°C is a temperature normally utilized and 1050°C is an overloaded temperature. The resistance to the latter means that the discharge tube may safely preserve a starter gas and an ionizable light-emitting substance therein for a longer period of time, even when the gas and substance is introduced into the discharge tube under a pressure higher than a normal value. [0082] Besides, figures 4 and 5 are photographs, taken by a scanning type electron microscope, showing the region near the interface between the inner surface of a metal member 7 and a sealing member 4 of this embodiment. [0083] Also another high pressure discharge lamp was produced according to the above process. However, the composition of the ceramic was dysprosium oxide 47 weight percent, alumina 48 weight percent, yttrium oxide 1 weight percent and silica 4 weight percent. In the resulting joined layer, crystallinity of the ceramic constituting impregnated ceramic phase and the intermediate ceramic layer was 90 percent. [0084] The ceramic discharge tube was subjected to a thermal cycle test. Particularly, in one cycle, its temperature is maintained at a room temperature for 15 minutes, increased to 1050°C, maintained at 1050°C for 5 minutes and decreased to a room temperature. 1000 thermal cycles were performed. After that, helium leak test was performed to investigate the leakage of helium. The leak rate was lower than 10-10 atm • cc • sec. [0085] When a sealing member is not applied in a high pressure discharge lamp, a main body of a ceramic discharge tube is shaped to obtain a shaped body, which is then dewaxed, calcined and finish-sintered. Also, paste of metal powder is produced as described above, applied or printed onto the surface of a metal member and subjected to heat treatment to form a porous bone structure. After the discharge tube and metal member are assembled and the above described material is set, they are heat-treated as described above to obtain a high pressure discharge lamp. [0086] The inventive joined body and joining method may be widely applied to, other than a high pressure discharge lamp, all the structural bodies, such as a switching device of vacuum, having a conductive portion or terminal whose air- tightness at a high temperature of about 900°C is indispensable. [0087] The present invention has been explained referring to the preferred embodiments, however , the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments which are given by way of examples only , and may be carried out in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention . [0088] Recently, it is the worldwide requirement to use high pressure Xe gas instead of mercury in the high pressure discharge lamp. According to the strength at the elevated temperature achieved by the high pressure discharge lamp of the present invention, it is possible to endure the rising of the internal pressure occurred at the ignition of the high pressure discharge lamp which does not contain the mercury. As a result, the high pressure discharge lamp according to the present invention can be applied to not only a lamp for general lighting but also a head lamp for vehicle. 1. A joined body of a first member (7) made or a metal and a second member (4,1a) made of a ceramic or a cermet, wherein said joined body comprises a joining portion (6) interposed between said first member and said second member tor joining said first and second members, said joining portion comprising a main phase (14) contacting said first member and an intermediate ceramic composition layer (13) contacting said second member and existing between said second member and said main phase, and said main phase comprising a porous bone structure (15) with open pores and made of a sintered product of powder of a metal, and said main phase further comprising a ceramic composition layer (10) impregnated into said open pores in said porous bone structure, characterized in that; each of said intermediate ceramic composition layer and said impregnated ceramic composition layer has a crystallinity of more than 50%. 2. The joined body as claimed in claim 1, wherein said intermediate ceramic composition layer and said impregnated ceramic composition layer contain a main component of said ceramic or said cermet constituting said second member. 3. The joined body as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said metal constituting said porous bone structure contains a main component of said metal constituting said first member. 4. The joined body as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein said intermediate ceramic composition layer and said impregnated ceramic composition layer are made of ceramic materials comprising the same ingredient system. 5. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said porous bone structure has a porosity of open pores of not lower than 30% and not higher than 80%. 6. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of said intermediate ceramic layer and said impregnated ceramic layer has a crystallinity of not lower than 60%. 7. The joined body as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said intermediate caramic layer and said impregnated ceramic layer has a crystallinity of not lower than 70%. 8. The joined body as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said intermediate ceramic layer and said impregnated ceramic layer has a crystallinity of not lower than 80%. 9. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of a ceramic constituting said intermediate ceramic composition layer and a ceramic constituting said impregnated ceramic composition layer comprises one or more oxide selected from the group consisting of AI2O3, Sc2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3, Tm2O3, SiO2, MoO2 and MoO3. 10. The jointed body as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of a ceramic constituting said intermediate ceramic composition layer and a ceramic constituting said impregnated ceramic composition layer comprises three or more oxides selected from the group consisting of AI2O3, Sc2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3, Tm2O3, SiO2, MoO2 and MoO3. 11. The joined body as claimed in claim 10, wherein each ceramic has a content of SiO2 of not higher than 15 weight percent. 12. The joined body as claimed in claim 11, wherein each ceramic has a content of SiO2 of not lower than 5ppm. 13.The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said first member comprises one or more metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, niobium, tantalum and the alloys thereof. 14. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said second member comprises a ceramic selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, yttria, lanthania and zirconia, or a cermet containing said ceramic. 15. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein each of a ceramic constituting said intermediate ceramic composition layer and a ceramic constituting said impregnated ceramic composition layer has a melting point not more than a temperature subtracted 200°C from a melting point of a ceramic or a cermet constituting said second member. 16. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said joined body is included in a high pressure discharge lamp comprising: a ceramic discharge tube with an inner space formed therein and end portions (1a), said inner space being fitted with an ionizable light-emitting material and a starter gas and an opening being formed within said end portions; an electrode system provided within said inner space; and a metal member (7); wherein said joined body is interposed between said metal member and said discharge tube, said metal member is said first member, and said discharge tube is said second member. 17. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said joined body is included in a high pressure discharge lamp comprising: a ceramic discharge tube with an inner space formed therein and end portions (1a), said inner space being filled with an ionizable light-emitting material and a starter gas and an opening being formed within said end portions; an electrode system provided within said inner space; a sealing member (4) comprising a ceramic or a cermet with a through hole formed therein, at least a part of said sealing member being fixed within said opening of said ceramic discharge tube, and a metal member (7); wherein said joined body (6) is interposed between said metal member (7) and said sealing member (4), said metal member (7) is said first member, and said sealing member (4) is said second member. 18. The joined body as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein a heat resisting temperature of said discharge tube is not less than 1,000X. 19. The joined body as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein said intermediate ceramic layer and said impregnated layer contain a main component of said ceramic constituting said discharge tube. 20. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein said metal member has tubular shape, and a clearance between said metal member and an electrode to be inserted into said metal member is between 30 to 150 µm at a diameter direction. A joined body of a first member (7) made of a metal and a second member (4, 1a) made of a ceramic or a cermet, wherein said joined body comprises a joining portion (6) interposed between said first member and said second member for joining said first and second members, said joining portion comprising a main phase (14) contacting said first; member and an intermediate ceramic composition layer (13) contacting said second member and existing between said second member and said main phase, and said main phase comprising a porous bone structure (15) with open pores and made of a sintered product of powder of a metal, and said main phase further comprising a ceramic composition layer (10) impregnated into said open pores in said porous bone structure, characterized in that each of said intermediate ceramic composition layer and said impregnated ceramic composition layer has a crystallinity of more than 50%.

Full Text

JOINED BODIES AND HIGH-PRESSURE DISCHARGE LAMPS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a joined body, particularly relates to a
high pressure discharge lamp using a ceramic discharge tube.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] A high pressure discharge lamp has a ceramic discharge tube with
two end portions, in which sealing members (usually referred to as a ceramic
plug) are inserted, respectively, to seal the respective end portions. A through
hole is formed in each sealing member and a metal member, to which a
predetermined electrode system is attached, is inserted within the through hole.
An ionizable light-emitting material is introduced and sealed within the inner
space of the discharge tube. Known high pressure discharge lamps include a
high pressure sodium vapor and metal halide lamps, the latter exhibiting more
superior color coordination. The lamp may be used in high temperature
condition by forming the discharge tube by a ceramic material.
[0003] In such discharge lamp, it is necessary to air-tightly seal between the
end portion of the ceramic discharge tube and a member for supporting an
electrode system. The ceramic discharge tube has a main body with a shape of
a tube with two narrow ends, or a barrel, or a straight tube. The ceramic
discharge tube is made of, for example, alumina sintered body.
[0004] Specification of Japanese patent application No. 178,415/1999 (EPO
EP0982278, A1) discloses the following structure. The joining portion between
the end portion of a ceramic discharge tube and a member for supporting an
electrode system comprises main phase contacting the discharge tube, and an
intermediate ceramic layer contacting the supporting member and existing
between the supporting member and the main phase. The main phase is
composed of a porous bone structure, with open pores and made of a sintered
product of metal powder, and ceramic phase impregnated into the open pores in
said porous bone structure. Herewith, such joined structure has improved air-
tightness and resistance to corrosion, and repeated thermal cycles does not result
in the fracture of the joined structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The inventor further examined the above sealing structure and,
therefore, achieved to provide a joined structure having resistance to fatigue and
fracture, even when the structure is subjected to repeated thermal cycles between
a high temperature, for example 1000°C or higher, and room temperature.
[0006] That is, it is an object of the invention to provide a joined structure
having resistance to fatigue and fracture, even when the structure is subjected to
repeated thermal cycles between a high temperature, for example 1000°C or
higher, and room temperature.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to apply such joined structure to a
high pressure discharge lamp, for improving the resistance to a corrosive gas,
such as a metal halide, and the air-tightness and for avoiding the fracture of the
joined structure due to repeated cycles of turning-ons and turning-offs.
[0008] The present invention provides a joined body of a first member made
of a metal and a second member made of a ceramic or a cermet. The joined
body comprises a joining portion interposed between the first member and the
second member for joining the first and second members, wherein the joining
portion comprises main phase contacting the first member and an intermediate
ceramic composition layer contacting the second member and existing between
the second member and the main phase. The main phase is composed of a
porous bone structure, made of a sintered product of metal powder and with open
pores, and ceramic composition layer impregnated into the open pores in the
porous bone structure. Each of the intermediate ceramic composition layer and
said impregnated ceramic composition layer has a crystallinity of more than 50%.
[0009] The present invention further provides a ceramic discharge lamp
comprising:
a ceramic discharge tube with an inner space formed therein and end
portions, the inner space being filled with an ionizable light-emitting material
and a starter gas and an opening being formed within the end portion;
an electrode system provided within the inner space;
a sealing member with a through hole formed therein, a part of the sealing
member being fixed within the opening of the ceramic discharge tube; and
a metal member; wherein the metal member and the sealing member

constitute the above air-tight joined body. The metal member is the first
member and the sealing member is the second member.
[0010] The present invention further provides a ceramic discharge lamp
comprising:
a ceramic discharge tube with an inner space formed therein and end
portions, the inner space being filled with an ionizable light-emitting material
and a starter gas and an opening being formed within the end portion;
an electrode system provided within the inner space; and
a metal member; wherein the metal member and the ceramic discharge tube
constitute the above air-tight joined body. The metal member is the first
member and the ceramic discharge tube is the second member.
[0011] The present invention provides a joined structure of a first member
made of a metal, such as molybdenum, and a second member made of a ceramic
or a cermet, in which the members may be joined with a high strength, the joined
structure has improved air-tightness and resistance to corrosion, and repeated
thermal cycles do not result in the fracture of the joined structure. The
invention provides a method for manufacturing the same.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0012] Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view schematically showing the state
wherein a porous bone structure 2 is provided between a sealing member 4 and a
metal member 7.
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view schematically showing a joined body.
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view schematically showing the state
wherein a porous bone structure 2 is provided between a sealing member 4 and a
metal member 7.
Fig. 4 is a photograph, taken by a scanning type electron microscope,
showing the joint interface between a metal member and a sealing member.
Fig. 5 is a photograph showing an enlarged view of a part of figure 4.
Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the photograph of figure 4.
Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the photograph of figure 5.
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the relation among the heat resisting
temperature, the thermal stress, and the corrosion resistance of the high pressure
discharge lamp.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the relation between the crystallinity and
the failure rate of a ceramic discharge tube during the thermal cycle test under
the temperature of 950°C.
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the relation between the crystallinity
and the failure rate of a ceramic discharge tube during the thermal cycle test
under the temperature of 1050°C.
Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the relation between the weight% of
SiO2 and the crystallinity of a ceramics.
Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a layered structure of the
joining portion of the joined body of figure 1 and the thermal coefficients of the
layers.
Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view showing the state wherein a
clogging member 19 is inserted within the metal member 7 of the high pressure
discharge lamp of figure 1.
Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a high pressure discharge
lamp after the metal member 7 of figure 12 and a sealing member 19 is joined to
form a sealing portion 21.
Fig. 15 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a high
pressure discharge lamp.
Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an embodi-
ment of an end portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to the
invention, wherein a metal member 7 is joined to the inner wall surface of a
sealing member 4 substantially along the full length of the wall.
Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an
embodiment of an end portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to the
invention, wherein a metal member 7 is joined to an end portion la of a
discharge tube 1 and a metal element 7 and a metal axis of an electrode system
27 is electrically connected by a metallized layer 32, covering the surface of the
end portion la.
Fig. 18 is an enlarged view showing the region near a hollow 31
shown in figure 17.
Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an end
portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to another embodiment of

the invention, wherein a metal member 7 is joined to an inner wall surface of the
end portion la of a discharge tube 1 substantially along the full length of the
surface.
Fig. 20 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an end
portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to another embodiment of
the invention, wherein a through hole 46 of a sealing member 39 is sealed by a
joining portion 6D of the invention.
Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view schematically showing an end
portion of a high pressure discharge lamp according to another embodiment of
the invention, wherein an opening 40 of an end portion 1a of a discharge tube 1
is sealed by a joining portion 6E of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Figures 1 to 7 are cross sectional views showing an end portion of a
high pressure discharge lamp of the invention.
[0014] An inner wall surface 1b of an end portion 1a of a ceramic high
pressure discharge tube 1 is formed so as to extend straightforwardly in the
direction of the central axis of the tube. A part of a sealing member 4 is
inserted within an opening 40 of the end portion 1a. 4c is an outer surface and
46 is a through hole of the sealing member 4.
[0015] A depression or hollow 9 is formed on the inner wall surface 4a of the
sealing member 4. A metal member 7 is held in the hollow 9. In the
embodiment, the metal member 7 has a shape of a tube and an opening is formed
in its end portion 7d, the opening being sealed after introducing a starter gas and
an ionizable light-emitting substance. 7b is an inner surface and 7c is an outer
surface of the metal member 7. An inner space of the metal member 7 is
commuted with an inner space of the ceramic discharge tube 1 (described below).
A protrusion 42 is provided in the sealing member 4 and faces an end portion 7a
of the metal member 7.
[0016] As shown in figure 1, the inventors provided a porous bone structure
2, made of a sintered product of metal powder and with open pores, between the
metal member 7 and sealing member 4. A ceramic material ring was then
positioned on the bone structure 2. The melting point of the bone structure 2 is
adjusted so as to exceed that of the ceramic material.

[0017] When the ceramic material was melted, as schematically shown in
figure 2, the inventor found that the melted material was impregnated into the
open pores to form main phase 14, comprising the porous bone structure and
ceramic composition layer impregnated into the open pores. The inventor
further found that the thus melted material is flown into the interface of the
sealing member 4 and the main phase 14 so that the bone structure is slightly
floated from the surface of the sealing member 4 to form the intermediate
ceramic composition layer 13. The main phase 14 and intermediate ceramic
composition layer 13 together form a joining portion 6 joining the metal member
7 and sealing member 4. 41 is a joint interface of the sealing member 4.
The joining portion 6 extends to the region near the protrusion 42. A joining
ceramic composition layer 48 is formed between the protrusion 42 and the end
portion 7a of the metal member 7.
[0018] As shown in Figure 3, it is also possible to apply a paste ceramic
composition 20' at the peripheral of the metal member 7, the bone structure 2
and the sealing member 4 instead of positioning the ceramic material ring 20 on
the bone structure 2.
[0019] Such structure will be explained referring to scanning type
microscopic photographs of figures 4 and 5, and line diagrams of figures 6 and 7.
Figure 4 is a photograph showing the region near the interface between the metal
member 7 and the sealing member 4, and figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the
photograph of figure 4. Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing the photograph of
figure 4, and figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the photograph of figure 5.
[0020] The intermediate ceramic composition layer 13 and main phase 14 is
formed on the surface of the sealing member 4. The main phase 14 is
composed of the bone structure 15 and the ceramic composition layer 10
impregnated into open pores of the bone structure 15. The intermediate
ceramic composition layer 13 is composed of the same composition as the
impregnated ceramic composition layer 10. The main phase 14 of the joining
portion 6 is formed on the surface of the metal member 7. In the photograph of
the figure 4, the whitish region in the main phase 14 is metallic molybdenum,
and gray or black region in the main phase 14 is the impregnated ceramic
composition layer. The difference of the brightness in the impregnated ceramic

phase shows that the ratio of the components in the ceramic, such as alumina,
has been changed microscopically.
[0021] In the joined body having the above structure, tensile stresses on the
ceramic is dispersed by means of metal particles (porous bone structure) and
compression stress on the bone structure is dispersed by means of the ceramic
impregnated into its open pores. That is, the different kinds of materials may
cooperate with each other to cope with both of the tensile and compression
stresses on the joining portion. Further, it is relatively hard to generate cracks
in the ceramic materials. In addition, when cracks develop within the ceramic
composition layer, such cracks may be interrupted by the porous bone structure
made of a metal, thereby preventing the fracture of the joining portion. Further,
such main phase comprising the porous bone structure and impregnated ceramic
composition layer adheres to the metal member and the intermediate ceramic
composition layer strongly adhere to the sealing member.
[0022] Further, ceramic components susceptible to corrosion is mainly
impregnated into the open pores of the bone structure.
[0023] According to the present invention, it is found that there are the
thermal stress factor and the corrosion factor in the failure mechanism of the
high pressure discharge lamp. It is also found that there are the temperature
region in which the thermal stress factor is dominant and the temperature region
in which the corrosion factor is dominant. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the
relation among the heat resisting temperature, the thermal stress, and the
corrosion resistance of the high pressure discharge lamp. As shown in figure 8,
the thermal stress factor is dominant at the heat resisting temperature lower than
980°C, preferably equal to or lower than 950°C, and the corrosion factor is
dominant at the heat resisting temperature higher than 980°C, preferably equal to
or lower than 1050°C. According to the inventor's investigation, it is
advantageous for the high pressure discharge lamp to have not less than 50% of
the crystallinity in view of the corrosion.
[0024] The above mentioned phenomenon can be explained as follows. It is
thought that the thermal stress is proportional to the difference between the real
temperature and the melting point (the softening temperature) of the object.
Therefore, as shown by curve a in figure 8, the contribution to the thermal stress

decreases as the heat resisting temperature increases. A substantia] thermal
stress does not occur at the temperature equal to or higher than melting point.
[0025] On the other hand, as shown by curve b in figure 8, the corrosion (the
chemical reaction) decreases as the heat resisting temperature decreases. This
is because the activity of an ionizable light-emitting material filled into the
discharge tube decreases as the temperature of the discharge tube and thus
attacks to the inner wall of the discharge tube and so on decreases. Therefore,
at a relatively high temperature, the chemical stabilization of the high pressure
discharge lamp increases as the rate of the crystallinity increases.
[0026] When the thermal cycle test of the ceramic discharge tube is
performed at the 950°C of the temperature in which the thermal stress is
dominant in the failure mechanism of the high pressure discharge lamp, the
stress relaxation mechanism fully acts and the corrosion is relatively low on
condition that the intermediate ceramic composition layer and the impregnated
ceramic composition layer of the high pressure discharge lamp has a crystallinity
of not more than 50%. This is because the thermal stress is dominant in the
failure mechanism of the high pressure discharge lamp when the crystallinity is
not more than 50%. As a result, the failure of the high pressure discharge lamp
does not occur. On the other hand, it is not advantageous for the high pressure
discharge lamp to have not less than 50% of the crystallinity because the stress
relaxation mechanism does not fully act. (refer to figure 9) In the thermal
cycle test, 1000 times of the thermal cycles was performed. In this case, the
temperature of the high pressure discharge lamp was firstly maintained at the
room temperature for 15 minutes, subsequently was increased to 1050°C and
maintained at 1050°C for 5 minutes, and finally was decreased to the room
temperature every thermal cycle.
[0027] When the thermal cycle test of the ceramic discharge tube is
performed at the 1050°C of the temperature in which the corrosion is dominant
in the failure mechanism of the high pressure discharge lamp, the corrosion
resistance fully acts and the thermal stress is relatively low on condition that the
intermediate ceramic composition layer and the impregnated ceramic
composition layer of the high pressure discharge lamp has a crystallinity of more
than 50%. As a result, the failure of the high pressure discharge lamp does not

occur. On the other hand, it is not advantageous for the high pressure discharge
lamp to have not more than 50% of the crystallinity because the corrosion
resistance does not fully act. (refer to figure 10)
[0028] The following table shows the result in which cubes were arranged
into a quarts tube and exposed to DyI3 and ScI3 for 4000 hours at the temperature
of 950°C. Each of the cubes has 5 mm of sides and is composed of ceramic
compositions of 46%, 54% and 75 a% of the crystallinity.
Table 1

[0029] As already stated, when the heat resisting temperature is higher than
980°C, or the crystallinity is more than 50%, the contribution to the corrosion
resistance is higher than that to the relaxation of the thermal stress. On the
other hand, when the heat resisting temperature is lower than 980°C, or the
crystallinity is less than 50%, the contribution to the relaxation of the thermal
stress is higher than that to the corrosion resistance. However, If the ionizable
light-emitting material contains a main component of a rare earth metal halide, it
is prefer to have more than 50% of the crystallinity regardless of the heat
resisting temperature because the contribution to the corrosion is relatively high
at the temperature lower than 980°C due to the high corrosion thereof. The
"main component" herein means a component of an ionizable light-emitting
material occupying not less than 15 weight percent of the ionizable light-emitting
material except for a starting medium.
[0030] According to the present invention, the heat resisting temperature is
1050°C if the crystallinity is 55%. As a result, the present invention can be
applied to not only a lamp for general lighting but also a head lamp for vehicle
which requires the relatively high heat resisting temperature not less than

1000°C and a severe heat resisting cycle.
[0031] The joined body in the present invention is particularly suitable to a
high discharge lamp. In this case, such high pressure discharge lamp may be
extremely stable to repeated cycles of turning-on and turning-off and a corrosive
gas contained within the inner space of a ceramic discharge tube.
[0032] In the invention, preferably, an intermediate ceramic composition
layer and impregnated ceramic composition layer have the substantially same
kind of composition. This means that both belong to the same ingredient
system as a whole, thereby improving the strength of the joining portion.
The intermediate ceramic composition layer and the impregnated ceramic
composition layer further preferably have substantially same composition. This
means that the intermediate ceramic composition layer and the impregnated
ceramic composition layer are derived from the same material.
[0033] The degree of crystallization of the intermediate ceramic composition
layer and the impregnated ceramic composition layer is not limited, but may
preferably be 80% or more. In such a case, the maximum degree is not limited,
and may be 100%.
[0034] In order to examine the relation between the rate of the crystallinity
and that of the corrosion, cubes were arranged into a quarts tube and exposed to
DyI3 and ScI3 for at the temperature of 1000°C, each of the cubes having 5 mm
of sides and being composed of ceramic compositions of 60%), 70% and 80% of
the crystallinity. The result shows as follows.

[0035] As shown in table 2, the corrosion increases as the rate of the
crystallinity increases. In other words, the corrosion at 70% of the crystallinity
Table 2

is higher than that at 60% of the crystallinity, and the corrosion at 80% of the
crystallinity is higher than that at 70% of the crystallinity. Especially, when the
crystallinity is 80%, the corrosion can be not more than 20% even if the time to
expose the cube reaches 6000 hours.
[0036] Each of ceramic constituting the intermediate ceramic composition
layer and ceramic constituting the impregnated ceramic composition layer may
preferably comprise one or more oxide selected from the group consisting of
A12O3, Sc2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3, Dy2O3, H2O3, Tm2O3, SiO2, MoO2 and MoO3
The mixture of not less than two of the oxides may be particularly preferable.
Dy2O3-Al2O3, Sc2O3-Al2O3 two eutectic component is more preferable because it
has substantially high melting point of the order of 1800°C.
[0037] To prevent corrosion caused by the corrosive gas contained within the
high pressure discharge lamp over a long term, the composition of SiO2 in each
ceramic, which is a relatively corrosive ingredient, may preferably be 15 weight
percent or less, and more preferably 5 weight percent or less. As a result, it is
possible to control the crystallinity of the ceramics well. Figure 11 is a diagram
showing the relation between the weight% of SiO2 and the crystallinity of a
ceramics. It shows the relation when it takes 15 minutes to decrease 500°C
from the treatment temperature. As shown in figure 11, the crystallinity is not
less than 50% when a content of SiO2 of ceramics is less than 15 weight percent.
[0038] SiO2 also act as a kind of binder to retain a shape of the ceramic
material when this joined body is produced. Therefore, on the view of
improving the shape retaining character, SiO2 may preferably be contained 5ppm
or more, and more preferably 20ppm or more.
[0039] Each ceramic may preferably contain particularly A12O3. On the
view point of wettability, each ceramic may preferably contain a main
component of the ceramic or cermet constituting the second member. The
"main component" herein means a ceramic component constituting 70 weight
percent or more of the ceramic or a ceramic component constituting 60 weight
percent or more of the cermet.
[0040] The followings are the preferred composition ranges.
(1) A12O3 10 to 80 weight percent
Si2O2 10 weight percent or less (preferably 5ppm or more)

Y2O3 0 to 40 weight percent
Dy2O3 0 to 50 weight percent
B2O3 0 to 10 weight percent
MoO3 0 to 10 weight percent
(2) Al2O3 10 to 80 weight percent
SiO2 0 to 10 weight percent
Y2O3 10 to 25 weight percent
Dy2O3 10 to 50 weight percent
[0041] The metal member may be made of one or more metal selected from
the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, niobium, tantalum and
alloys thereof.
[0042] Among them, niobium and tantalum have thermal expansion
coefficients matching with that of a ceramic, especially alumina ceramic,
constituting a ceramic discharge tube. However, it is known that niobium and
tantalum are susceptible to corrosion to a metal halide. Therefore, it is
desirable to form a metal member by a metal selected from the group consisting
of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium and alloys thereof, for improving the life of
the metal member. However, such metals, with high resistance to a metal
halide, generally have a low thermal expansion coefficient. For example,
alumina ceramic has a thermal expansion coefficient of 8x10-6KT-1 molybdenum
has that of 6x10-6K-1 and tungsten and rhenium have those of not more than
6x10-6K-1. In such a case, as described above, the inventive joined structure
effectively reduces the stress due to the difference of the thermal expansion
coefficients of the metal member and the ceramic discharge tube or the sealing
member.
[0043] Molybdenum is suitably used for the invented structure in such
advantages that it has high resistance to a metal vapor, particularly to a metal
halide gas, and that it has high wettability to a ceramic.
[0044] When using molybdenum as a material of a metal member, at least
one of La2O3 and CeO2 may preferably be added to molybdenum in a ratio of 0.1
to 2.0 weight percent as a total.
[0045] A porous bone structure is made of a sintered product of metal
powder. The metal powder may preferably be made of a metal selected from

the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, niobium, tantalum and
the alloys thereof. For further improving the resistance of the structure to a
halogen, a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten,
rhenium and the alloys thereof is particularly preferable.
[0046] The main components of the metals constituting the metal member
and constituting the porous bone structure may preferably be the same and more
preferably molybdenum. Such (main component) means that the component
constitutes not lower than 60 weight percent of the metal.
[0047] The porous bone structure may preferably has a porosity, of open
pores, of not lower than 15%, and more preferably not lower than 40%, thus
improving the strength of the joining portion. The porosity may preferably be
not higher than 80%, and more preferably be not higher than 70%, thus
effectively impregnating the ceramic into the open pores of the bone structure
and dispersing the stress applied on the structure to improve the resistance
thereof to repeated thermal cycles.
[0048] The second member or sealing member is made of a ceramic or
cermet. The ceramic may preferably be a ceramic alone, selected from the
group consisting of alumina, magnesia, yttria, lanthania and zirconia, or the
mixed compound thereof.
[0049] More particularly, the sealing member may be made of the same or
the different kinds of material as that of the ceramic discharge tube. When the
electric conductor is made of niobium or tantalum, the ceramic discharge tube
and sealing member may preferably be made of the same kind of material,
because in this case the thermal expansion coefficient of the electric conductor is
approaching those of the ceramic discharge lamp and sealing member. Such
(same kind of material) means that their base components of the ceramic
materials are the same and the added component or components may be the same
or different with each other.
[0050] When the metal member is made of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium
or the alloys thereof, the difference of the thermal expansion coefficients of the
ceramic discharge tube and metal member are relatively increased. Therefore,
it is preferable to adjust the thermal expansion coefficient of the sealing member
between those of the electric conductor and the end portion of the ceramic

discharge tube. For that reason, the sealing member may be formed of a cermet.
[0051] A cermet is a composite material of a ceramic and a metal. Such
ceramic may preferably be a ceramic alone, selected from the group consisting of
alumina, magnesia, yttria, lanthania and zirconia, or the mixed compound thereof,
and more preferably be the same kind of ceramic as that of the ceramic discharge
tube, thereby making it possible to co-fire the ceramic discharge tube and sealing
member simultaneously. On this point of view, the ceramic components of the
ceramic discharge tube and the cermet may more preferably be alumina ceramic.
[0052] The metal component of the cermet may preferably be a metal, having
a high temperature melting point and resistance to a metal halide, such as
tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium or the like, or the alloys thereof, thus giving the
sealing member improved resistance to the metal halide. The cermet may
preferably has not lower than 55 weight percent, and more preferably not lower
than 60 weight percent, of a ceramic component (the balance is a metal
component.).
[0053] Preferably, each of a material constituting the intermediate ceramic
composition layer and a ceramic constituting the impregnated ceramic
composition layer has a melting point not more than a temperature subtracted
200°C from a melting point of a ceramic or a cermet constituting the second
member. Thereby, grain boundary crack seldom occurs in the second member.
In this case, the melting point of each materials is not less than 1500°C.
[0054] The above described joining method may be applied to both ends of a
ceramic tube. However, in one end, it is necessary to apply a tubular-shaped
metal member for introducing an ionizable light-emitting substance through the
inner space of the metal member. In the other end, metal members with various
shapes such as a rod, a tube or the like may be applied.
[0055] The shape of a ceramic discharge tube is not particularly limited, and
includes a tube, a cylinder, a barrel or the like. When the metal member is a
tubular shaped member supporting an electrode system, through which an
ionizable light-emitting substance is introduced into the inner space of the
discharge tube, the electrode-system-supporting member is sealed by laser
welding or TIG welding. When using laser welding, for example, Nd/YAG
laser is used. In this case, a clearance between the metal member and an

electrode to be inserted into the metal member is between 30 to 150µm at a
diameter direction because, if the clearance is too wide, there is a tendency to
accumulate the light-emitting material in the clearance so that the unevenness of
the property increases, on one hand, and if the clearance is too small, the
electrode system substantially contacts the electrode-system-supporting member
and the thermal stress of the joining portion thereof increases so that there is a
tendency to break the joining portion, on the other hand.
[0056] In the case of a metal halide high pressure discharge lamp, an inert
gas, such as argon, a metal halide and optionally mercury is introduced into the
inner space of the ceramic discharge tube.
[0057] Figures 1, 2, 3, 12, 13 and 14 show the embodiments of the end
portions of the lamp to which the invention is applied.
[0058] A joining portion 6 of the invention is interposed between a sealing
member 4 and a metal member 7 to join them with each other and to secure air-
tightness.
[0059] As shown in figure 12, an axis 27 of an electrode system 18 is
attached to a clogging member 19 (preferably made of a metal), the electrode
system 18 is inserted into the inner space of a ceramic discharge tube and the
clogging member 19 is inserted into the inner space of the metal member 7. As
shown in figure 13, it is possible to expose a metal end 7a to an inner space of
the metal member 7 of the ceramic discharge tube and provide a stopper 48'.
As shown in figure 14, an end portion 19a of the clogging member 19 is joined,
by means of the above welding or the like, to the metal member 7 to form a
sealing portion 21, thereby sealing an ionizable light-emitting substance and a
starter gas in the inner space of the ceramic discharge tube from the outer
atmosphere and providing an electric power to the electrode system 18 through
the clogging member 19. A protrusion 42 functions to position the metal
member 7 and to make flow path of the corrosive gas longer.
[0060] Figure 15 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a
high pressure discharge lamp. A high pressure discharge lamp system 23 has an
outer tube 30 generally made of a hard glass, in which a high pressure discharge
lamp 1 is contained. The outer tube 30 has both ends sealed with ceramic caps
22. Each clogging member 19 is inserted into and joined with each metal

member 7. An outer lead wire 25 is connected with each outer end 19a of each
clogging member 19.
[0061] In the embodiment shown in figure 16, the sealing member 4 has no
protrusion on its inner wall surface. And, the metal member 7 and the inner
wall surface of the sealing member 4 is joined substantially along the full length
of the through hole 46 of the sealing member 4. 6A is a joining portion, 13A is
an intermediate glass layer and 14A is main phase.
[0062] In the embodiment shown in figure 17, the inner wall surface lb of
the end portion la of the ceramic discharge tube 1 extends straightforwardly in
the direction of the main axis of the ceramic discharge tube. A hollow 31 is
formed in the end portion 1d of the inner wall surface 1b of the end portion 1a.
An end portion 7a of a metal member 7 is supported in the hollow 31.
A joining portion 6B is interposed between the discharge tube 1 and the metal
member 7 and join them with each other in the hollow 31 to secure the air-
tightness. 32 is a metallized layer.
[0063] Figure 18 is an enlarged view of the region near the hollow 31 shown
in figure 17. The joining portion 6B comprises main phase 14B contacting the
metal member 7 and an intermediate ceramic composition layer 13B contacting
the discharge tube 1. The metallized layer 32 covers the inner wall surface lb
of the end portion 1 a of the discharge tube 1, further covers the surface of the
hollow 31, contacts the edge of the end portion 7a of the metal member 7 and
extends to the edge of the joining portion 6B.
[0064] The embodiment of figure 19 have no protrusion on the inner wall
surface lb of the end portion 1a of the discharge tube 1 and the inner wall
surface lb extends substantially straightforwardly. The inner wall surface 1b
of the end portion 1a and the metal member 7 are joined with each other
substantially along the full length of an opening 40 of the end portion 1 a. 6C is
a joining portion, 13C is an intermediate ceramic composition layer and 14C is
main phase.
[0065] In each embodiment described above, the inventive joining portion is
provided between the outer surface of the metal member and the inner wall
surface of the end portion of the ceramic discharge tube or the sealing member.
In the other words, the above inventive joining portions do not seal the opening

in the end portion of the ceramic discharge tube or through hole of the sealing
member. However, the inventive joining portion has high resistance to
corrosion and therefore may seal the opening of the ceramic discharge tube by
itself, by contacting the intermediate ceramic composition layer with the inner
5 wall surface, facing the opening, and by sealing it with the intermediate ceramic
composition layer and the main phase with preserved air-tightness.
Alternatively, the intermediate ceramic composition layer may be contacted with
the inner wall surface, facing the through hole of the sealing member, to seal the
through hole by this intermediate ceramic composition layer and the main phase
10 with preserved air-tightness. In these cases, the metal member is joined to the
main phase without passing through the joining portion. Figures 20 and 21
relate to such embodiments.
[0066] In the embodiment of figure 20, a first sealing member 37 is inserted
within an inner surface 38b near an end face 38c of the ceramic discharge tube
15 38 of a high pressure discharge lamp. An outer surface 38a of the discharge
tube 38 extends straightforwardly in its longitudinal direction. The thickness
of the discharge tube 38 is substantially uniform. A second cylindrical sealing
member 39 is inserted within the interior of the first sealing member 37.
The sealing members 37 and 39 are made of a ceramic or cermet, same as the
20 sealing members described above. The inventive joining portion 6D is formed
within the second sealing member 39.
[0067] When forming the joining portion 6D, a porous bone structure is
inserted within the sealing member 39. Preferably, a metal member 35 and a
metal axis 27, made of molybdenum, is joined to the bone structure in advance.
25 When the outer diameter of the porous bone structure and the inner diameter of
the inner wall surface 39a of the sealing member 39 is strictly adjusted to the
same value, it might be impossible to insert the bone structure due to the
dimension clearance. Preferably, a clearance of 0.05 to 0.10 mm is provided.
When inserting the porous bone structure and melting a ceramic material on the
30 bone structure, the ceramic is impregnated into the porous bone structure to form
main phase 14D and an intermediate ceramic composition layer 13D is formed in
the clearance of the bone structure and sealing member 39.
[0068] Consequently, the through hole 46 of the sealing member 39 is

substantially sealed by the main phase 14D and the intermediate ceramic
composition layer 13D is formed within the clearance between the main phase
14D and the inner wall surface 39a of the sealing member 39. The axis 27 is
joined onto the surface, facing the inner space 17, of the main phase 14D and a
metal member 35 is joined to the outer surface of the main phase 14D.
A ceramic composition layer 45 is further formed within the clearance between
the metal member 35 and sealing member 39.
[0069] In the embodiment shown in figure 21, as shown in figure 20, the
inventive joining portion 6E is formed within an opening 40 of the end portion
1a of the discharge tube 1.
[0070] When forming the joining portion 6E, a porous bone structure is
inserted into the inner opening 40 of the end portion 1a of the discharge tube 1.
A metal member 35 and a metal axis 27 are joined to the bone structure in
advance. A clearance, preferably of 0.05 to 0.10 mm, is provided between the
outer surface of the bone structure and the inner surface 1b of the discharge tube
1. When inserting the porous bone structure and melting the ceramic material
on the bone structure, the melted ceramic is impregnated into the porous bone
structure to form main phase 14E and an intermediate glass layer 13E is formed
in the clearance between the main phase 14E and the discharge tube 1.
[0071] The relation among the clearance between the outer surface of the
bone structure and the inner surface of the discharge tube, the insertion of the
electrode system (easiness to insert), and the fullness of ceramic composition
into the bone structure shows as follows.
Table 3

[0072] If the clearance is 0.03 mm, the outer surface of the bone structure
makes contacts with the inner surface of the discharge tube and thus the bone
structure may be damaged when the electrode system inclines to the insertion
direction of thereof. On the other hand, if the clearance is 0.12 mm, the
ceramics composition is not filled into the bone structure and thus the ceramics
composition may flow downward.
[0073] Next, the most preferred process for producing high pressure
discharge lamps according to embodiments of the invention will be described.
When using a sealing member, powdery raw material (preferably alumina
powder) of the sealing member is shaped into a shaped body, with a shape of a
ring, of the sealing member. At this stage, it is preferred to press-mold granules,
granulated with a spray drier or the like, under a pressure of 2000 to
3000 kgf/cm2. The resulting shaped body may preferably be subjected to
dewaxing and calcination to obtain a calcined body, which is then finish-sintered
at a temperature between 1600 to 1900°C under reducing atmosphere of a dew
point of-15 to 15°C.
[0074] The dewaxing process may preferably be carried out at a temperature
of 600 to 800°C and the calcination process may preferably be carried out at a
temperature of 1200 to 1400°C under reducing atmosphere of hydrogen.
The calcination may provide a some degree of strength to the shaped body of
the sealing member and facilitate the handling of the sealing member.
A hollow may be formed, for example by machining.
[0075] Also, metal powder is formulated, crashed, dried, and milled with an
added binder, such as ethyl cellulose, acrylic resin or the like, to obtain paste,
which is then applied onto the outer surface of the end portion of the metal
member and dried at a temperature of 20 to 60°C. The resulting calcined body
is sintered under reducing or inert atmosphere or vacuum of a dew point of 20 to
50°C at a temperature of 1200 to 1700°C.
[0076] Also, a main body of a ceramic discharge tube is shaped, dewaxed
and calcined to obtain a calcined body of the ceramic discharge tube. A pre-
sintered body of the sealing member is inserted into the end portion of the
resulting calcined body, set at a predetermined position and finish-sintered under
reducing atmosphere of a dew point of -15 to 15°C at a temperature of 1600 to

1900°C to obtain a ceramic discharge tube.
[0077] Also, powder or frit is pre-formulated to a predetermined ceramic
composition, crashed, granulated with an added binder such as polyvinylalcohol
or the like, press-molded and dewaxed to obtain molding material.
Alternatively, powder or frit for a ceramic is melted and solidified to obtain solid,
which is then crashed, granulated with added binder, press-molded and dewaxed.
In this case, it is preferred to add 3 to 5 weight percent of a binder to the powder,
to press-mold at a pressure of 1 to 5 ton, to dewax at about 700°C and to calcine
at a temperature of 1000 to 1200°C.
[0078] Such discharge tube, sealing member, metal member, porous bone
structure and molding material are assembled as shown in figure 1 and heated to
a temperature of 1000 to 1600°c under non-oxidizing atmosphere.
[0079] The ceramic discharge lamp as described referring to figures 1 to 7
was produced according to the above process. The ceramic discharge tube and
sealing member was made of alumina ceramic, and a pipe made of molybdenum
is used as the metal member. Molybdenum powder with an average particle
diameter of 3 µm was used as the porous bone structure, and ethyl cellulose is
used as a binder. The molybdenum powder had a tap density of 2.9 g/cc.
The composition of the impregnated ceramic phase and the intermediate ceramic
layer were dysprosium oxide 20 weight percent, lanthanum oxide 17 weight
percent, alumina 35 weight percent, yttrium oxide 20 weight percent and silica 8
weight percent. In the resulting joined layer, crystallinity of the ceramic
constituting thereof was 80 percent.
[0080] The ceramic discharge tube was subjected to a thermal cycle test.
Particularly, in one cycle, its temperature is maintained at a room temperature for
15 minutes, increased to 1050°C, maintained at 1050°C for 5 minutes and
decreased to a room temperature. 1000 thermal cycles were performed. After
that, helium leak test was performed to investigate the leakage of helium.
The leak rate was lower than 10-10 atm • cc • sec.
[0081] 850°C is a temperature normally utilized and 1050°C is an overloaded
temperature. The resistance to the latter means that the discharge tube may
safely preserve a starter gas and an ionizable light-emitting substance therein for
a longer period of time, even when the gas and substance is introduced into the

discharge tube under a pressure higher than a normal value.
[0082] Besides, figures 4 and 5 are photographs, taken by a scanning type
electron microscope, showing the region near the interface between the inner
surface of a metal member 7 and a sealing member 4 of this embodiment.
[0083] Also another high pressure discharge lamp was produced according to
the above process. However, the composition of the ceramic was dysprosium
oxide 47 weight percent, alumina 48 weight percent, yttrium oxide 1 weight
percent and silica 4 weight percent. In the resulting joined layer, crystallinity
of the ceramic constituting impregnated ceramic phase and the intermediate
ceramic layer was 90 percent.
[0084] The ceramic discharge tube was subjected to a thermal cycle test.
Particularly, in one cycle, its temperature is maintained at a room temperature for
15 minutes, increased to 1050°C, maintained at 1050°C for 5 minutes and
decreased to a room temperature. 1000 thermal cycles were performed. After
that, helium leak test was performed to investigate the leakage of helium.
The leak rate was lower than 10-10 atm • cc • sec.
[0085] When a sealing member is not applied in a high pressure discharge
lamp, a main body of a ceramic discharge tube is shaped to obtain a shaped body,
which is then dewaxed, calcined and finish-sintered. Also, paste of metal
powder is produced as described above, applied or printed onto the surface of a
metal member and subjected to heat treatment to form a porous bone structure.
After the discharge tube and metal member are assembled and the above
described material is set, they are heat-treated as described above to obtain a
high pressure discharge lamp.
[0086] The inventive joined body and joining method may be widely applied
to, other than a high pressure discharge lamp, all the structural bodies, such as a
switching device of vacuum, having a conductive portion or terminal whose air-
tightness at a high temperature of about 900°C is indispensable.
[0087] The present invention has been explained referring to the preferred
embodiments, however , the present invention is not limited to the illustrated
embodiments which are given by way of examples only , and may be carried out
in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention .
[0088] Recently, it is the worldwide requirement to use high pressure Xe gas

instead of mercury in the high pressure discharge lamp. According to the
strength at the elevated temperature achieved by the high pressure discharge
lamp of the present invention, it is possible to endure the rising of the internal
pressure occurred at the ignition of the high pressure discharge lamp which does
not contain the mercury. As a result, the high pressure discharge lamp
according to the present invention can be applied to not only a lamp for general
lighting but also a head lamp for vehicle.

1. A joined body of a first member (7) made or a metal and a second
member (4,1a) made of a ceramic or a cermet,
wherein said joined body comprises a joining portion (6) interposed
between said first member and said second member tor joining said first
and second members,
said joining portion comprising a main phase (14) contacting said first
member and an intermediate ceramic composition layer (13) contacting
said second member and existing between said second member and said
main phase, and
said main phase comprising a porous bone structure (15) with open pores
and made of a sintered product of powder of a metal, and said main phase
further comprising a ceramic composition layer (10) impregnated into said
open pores in said porous bone structure, characterized in that;
each of said intermediate ceramic composition layer and said impregnated
ceramic composition layer has a crystallinity of more than 50%.
2. The joined body as claimed in claim 1, wherein said intermediate ceramic
composition layer and said impregnated ceramic composition layer
contain a main component of said ceramic or said cermet constituting said
second member.
3. The joined body as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said metal
constituting said porous bone structure contains a main component of said
metal constituting said first member.
4. The joined body as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein said intermediate
ceramic composition layer and said impregnated ceramic composition
layer are made of ceramic materials comprising the same ingredient
system.

5. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said
porous bone structure has a porosity of open pores of not lower than 30%
and not higher than 80%.
6. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of
said intermediate ceramic layer and said impregnated ceramic layer has a
crystallinity of not lower than 60%.
7. The joined body as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said intermediate
caramic layer and said impregnated ceramic layer has a crystallinity of not
lower than 70%.
8. The joined body as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said intermediate
ceramic layer and said impregnated ceramic layer has a crystallinity of not
lower than 80%.
9. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of a
ceramic constituting said intermediate ceramic composition layer and a
ceramic constituting said impregnated ceramic composition layer
comprises one or more oxide selected from the group consisting of AI2O3,
Sc2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3, Tm2O3, SiO2, MoO2 and MoO3.
10. The jointed body as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of a ceramic
constituting said intermediate ceramic composition layer and a ceramic
constituting said impregnated ceramic composition layer comprises three
or more oxides selected from the group consisting of AI2O3, Sc2O3, Y2O3,
La2O3, Gd2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3, Tm2O3, SiO2, MoO2 and MoO3.
11. The joined body as claimed in claim 10, wherein each ceramic has a
content of SiO2 of not higher than 15 weight percent.
12. The joined body as claimed in claim 11, wherein each ceramic has a
content of SiO2 of not lower than 5ppm.
13.The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said first
member comprises one or more metal selected from the group consisting
of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, niobium, tantalum and the alloys
thereof.

14. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said
second member comprises a ceramic selected from the group consisting
of alumina, magnesia, yttria, lanthania and zirconia, or a cermet containing
said ceramic.
15. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein each of
a ceramic constituting said intermediate ceramic composition layer and a
ceramic constituting said impregnated ceramic composition layer has a
melting point not more than a temperature subtracted 200°C from a
melting point of a ceramic or a cermet constituting said second member.
16. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said
joined body is included in a high pressure discharge lamp comprising:
a ceramic discharge tube with an inner space formed therein and end
portions (1a), said inner space being fitted with an ionizable light-emitting
material and a starter gas and an opening being formed within said end
portions;
an electrode system provided within said inner space; and
a metal member (7);
wherein said joined body is interposed between said metal member and
said discharge tube, said metal member is said first member, and said
discharge tube is said second member.
17. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said
joined body is included in a high pressure discharge lamp comprising:
a ceramic discharge tube with an inner space formed therein and end
portions (1a), said inner space being filled with an ionizable light-emitting
material and a starter gas and an opening being formed within said end
portions;
an electrode system provided within said inner space;
a sealing member (4) comprising a ceramic or a cermet with a through
hole formed therein, at least a part of said sealing member being fixed
within said opening of said ceramic discharge tube, and
a metal member (7);

wherein said joined body (6) is interposed between said metal member (7)
and said sealing member (4), said metal member (7) is said first member,
and said sealing member (4) is said second member.
18. The joined body as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein a heat resisting
temperature of said discharge tube is not less than 1,000X.
19. The joined body as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein said intermediate
ceramic layer and said impregnated layer contain a main component of
said ceramic constituting said discharge tube.
20. The joined body as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein said
metal member has tubular shape, and a clearance between said metal
member and an electrode to be inserted into said metal member is
between 30 to 150 µm at a diameter direction.

A joined body of a first member (7) made of a metal and a second member (4,
1a) made of a ceramic or a cermet, wherein said joined body comprises a joining
portion (6) interposed between said first member and said second member for
joining said first and second members, said joining portion comprising a main
phase (14) contacting said first; member and an intermediate ceramic
composition layer (13) contacting said second member and existing between
said second member and said main phase, and said main phase comprising a
porous bone structure (15) with open pores and made of a sintered product of
powder of a metal, and said main phase further comprising a ceramic
composition layer (10) impregnated into said open pores in said porous bone
structure, characterized in that each of said intermediate ceramic composition
layer and said impregnated ceramic composition layer has a crystallinity of more
than 50%.

Documents:

349-cal-2001-granted-abstract.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-claims.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-correspondence.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-description (complete).pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-drawings.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-examination report.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-form 1.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-form 18.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-form 2.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-form 26.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-form 3.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-form 5.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-priority document.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-specification.pdf

349-cal-2001-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf

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Patent Number

228382

Indian Patent Application Number

349/CAL/2001

PG Journal Number

06/2009

Publication Date

06-Feb-2009

Grant Date

04-Feb-2009

Date of Filing

25-Jun-2001

Name of Patentee

NGK INSULATORS, LTD

Applicant Address

2-56 SUDA-CHO, MIZUHO-KU, NAGOYA CITY, AICHI PREF

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	NIIMI NORIKAZU	NGK INSULATORS, LTD, 2-56, SUDA-CHO, MIZUHO-KU, NAGOYA CITY AICHI PREF

PCT International Classification Number

H01J 6/00

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	2000-200,	2000-07-03	Japan
2	2001-51,413	2001-02-27	Japan
3	2001-134,489	2001-05-01	Japan