Patent ID: 8901465

Claim:
A diffusion bonding method in which, while heating is carried out with respect to a first bonding object and a second bonding object that are made of metal and in mutual contact, pressure is imparted to the first bonding object and the second bonding object, atoms of the first bonding object are diffused into the second bonding object, and atoms of the second bonding object are diffused into the first bonding object, whereby both bonding objects are joined together, the method comprising the steps of: accommodating within a bonding vessel a first material that is capable of inducing nitrogen to enter into a solid solution and that is one of a steel material, nitrogen doped stainless steel, a nickel alloy, and a copper alloy, the first material being the first bonding object; accommodating within the bonding vessel a second material that is capable of inducing nitrogen to enter into a solid solution and that is one of a steel material, nitrogen doped stainless steel, a nickel alloy, and a copper alloy, the second material being the second bonding object; evacuating the bonding vessel such that a pressure inside of the bonding vessel is at least 10 −1 Pa; introducing a nitrogen gas into the evacuated bonding vessel, while controlling a pressure inside of the bonding vessel to be between 3-10 5 Pa; and heating the first bonding object and the second bonding object while applying pressure with respect to the first bonding object and the second bonding object.