Inspection method for the effect of composition on the bond strength of a metallized alumina ceramic

1. A method of inspecting a unit under test containing a first brazed dielectric to metal bond, comprising:

illuminating the first brazed dielectric to metal bond with light and using a camera to take one or more images of the first brazed dielectric to metal bond;

providing the one or more images of the first brazed dielectric to metal bond;

determining a characteristic of the first brazed dielectric to metal bond based on at least one of a presence and size of a glassy phase in or adjacent to the first brazed dielectric to metal bond included in the one or more images;

determining a value corresponding to the size of the glassy phase based on the one or more images;

comparing the value corresponding to the size of the glassy phase to a value stored in memory; and

determining whether the first brazed dielectric to metal bond has a sufficient bond strength based on the step of comparing,

wherein a dielectric tube comprises an alumina ceramic and the glassy phase comprises a glassy alumina phase which is more shiny than adjacent ceramic alumina; and

wherein the unit under test comprises a conduit assembly for a fuel cell system, comprising:

the dielectric tube comprising a first end and a second end;

a first metal tube comprising a first lip coupled to the first end of the dielectric tube by the first brazed dielectric to metal bond;

a first dielectric ring coupled to the first lip of the first metal tube;

a second metal tube comprising a second lip coupled to the second end of the dielectric tube; and

a second dielectric ring coupled to the second lip of the second metal tube by a second brazed dielectric to metal bond.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric tube and the first and second dielectric ring each comprise an alumina ceramic, and the first and second metal tubes comprise stainless steel or a nickel chromium alloy.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first brazed dielectric to metal bond is located between a manganese molybdenum alloy sintered to the alumina ceramic surface and a metal part.