Method for affixing a metal tube to a metal body

A method for affixing a metal tube, namely a tube including a lumen surrounded by a metal wall, to a metal body including a passageway, wherein the metal tube shows a caliber to wall thickness ratio, defined by a ratio of a caliber of the metal tube to a wall thickness of the wall of the metal tube, which caliber to wall thickness ratio is greater than 20, said method comprising:

• placing a portion, of the metal tube in a lumen of a metal sleeve, namely a sleeve, including a metal wall, surrounding the lumen, in such a manner that an outer surface of the metal tube and an inner surface of the metal sleeve at least partially contact one another;
• affixing the metal sleeve on the portion of the metal tube placed in its lumen for forming a metal tube, metal sleeve, composite system, said affixing the metal sleeve to the portion of the metal tube placed in its lumen including forming a material bonded connection between the metal sleeve and the metal tube;
• placing the metal tube, metal sleeve, composite system in the passageway of the metal body in such a manner that an outer surface of the metal sleeve and an inner surface of the passageway at least partially contact one another;
• and
• plastically deforming, at least the metal sleeve of the metal tube, metal sleeve, composite system placed in the passageway of the metal body for forming a force interlocking between the inner surface of the passageway and the outer surface of the metal sleeve;
• wherein the metal sleeve shows an initial outer diameter, namely an outer diameter measurable before its plastic deformation, which is greater by at least 4 mm than a caliber of the metal tube.