Microstructure contact deformation mechanisms

In practice, clean (very clean ) cleaved or otherwise smoothed metal surfaces should be made to effect a firm mechanical contact using a strong force but one that is still insufficient to cause macroscopic deformation even at an elevated temperature. This will have to be been done, usually, in vacuum or at least in an inert atmosphere. The problems of hard to get to (inaccessible) joints and possibly objectionable thermal conditions and the resultant undesired microstructures such as Kirkendall voids, for instance, are minimized, if not eliminated all together. Thus, good-quality, distortion-free joints requiring no additional machining or other posttreatment can be achieved. 

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