Racks for high-temperature metal processing

An apparatus for receiving and supporting one or more components during processing thereof at a process temperature greater than approximately 1000° C., the apparatus comprising:

• a planar first shelf (i) comprising a first refractory metal having a melting point greater than the process temperature and (ii) defining therein a plurality of apertures, each aperture being threaded through at least a portion of its thickness;
• a plurality of first support posts, each first support post (i) comprising a second refractory metal having a melting point greater than the process temperature, (ii) having a threaded lower end for engagement with a threaded aperture of the first shelf, and (iii) defining a support collar proximate an upper end opposite the threaded lower end, a lateral dimension of the first support post above the support collar being smaller than a lateral dimension of the first support post below the support collar;
• and
• a planar second shelf (i) comprising a third refractory metal having a melting point greater than the process temperature and (ii) defining therein a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the second shelf being configured to receive the upper end of one of the first support posts such that a portion of the second shelf proximate each aperture thereof rests upon the support collar of the first support post received in the aperture.

A method of high-temperature brazing at a process temperature greater than approximately 1000° C., the method comprising:

• disposing within a furnace chamber an apparatus comprising:
• a planar first shelf (i) comprising a first refractory metal having a melting point greater than the process temperature and (ii) defining therethrough a plurality of apertures, each aperture being threaded through at least a portion of its thickness,
• a plurality of first support posts, each first support post (i) comprising a second refractory metal having a melting point greater than the process temperature, (ii) having a threaded lower end for engagement with a threaded aperture of the first shelf, and (iii) defining a support collar proximate an upper end opposite the threaded lower end, a lateral dimension of the first support post above the support collar being smaller than a lateral dimension of the first support post below the support collar, and
• a planar second shelf (i) comprising a third refractory metal having a melting point greater than the process temperature and (ii) defining therethrough a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the second shelf receiving the upper end of one of the first support posts such that a portion of the second shelf proximate each aperture thereof rests upon the support collar of the first support post received in the aperture;
• disposing on the first shelf or the second shelf of the apparatus (i) a first component, (ii) a second component, and (iii) a brazing material disposed between the first and second components;
• introducing within the furnace chamber a processing ambient;
• and
• applying the process temperature within the furnace chamber, thereby melting the brazing material and joining the first and second components at a brazed joint therebetween.