Microstructure and properties of the joints of Cu/Cu and metallized Cu / kovar brazed with a low-silver vacuum brazing filler metal

In an attempt to develop low-silver brazing filler metals used for hermetic sealing materials in the vacuum interrupter industry,the ternary Ag-50Cu-5Ga low-silver vacuum brazing filler metal was investigated.The melting temperature was measured by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),and the brazability of Ag-50Cu-5Ga alloy on copper and metallized copper/kovar were ascertained at 850℃under 1×10-4 Pa in this article.The microstructures of the filler metal and the joints have been analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy.The results show that vacuum brazing was success to join with copper or metallized copper/kovar using Ag-50Cu-5Ga filler and reliable joints were obtained.There were Ag-rich phase,Cu-rich phase and a fine eutectic structure of Ag-based solid solution and Cu-based solid solution in the copper joints and the width of brazing seam is about 60μm.The joints of kovar alloy to copper after surface nickel plating was composed of AgCu eutectic phase,Ag,Cu,Cu2Ga and CuNi2 phase.The tensile strength was 167 MPa and 150 MPa,respectively.The tensile results of joints show that the joint strengths were equivalent to the traditional brazing filler metals.

Microstructure and properties of Cu/Al joints brazed with Zn-Al filler metals

The mechanical properties and microstructural distribution of the Cu/A1 brazing joints formed by torch-brazing with different Zn-A1 filler metals were investigated. The microstructure of the Zn-A1 alloys was studied by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the phase constitution of the Cu/A1 joints was analyzed by energy dispersion spectrometry. The results show that the spreading area of the Zn-A1 filler metals on the Cu and A1 substrates increases as the A1 content increases. The mechanical results indicate that the shear strength reaches a peak value of 88 MPa when A1 and Cu are brazed with Zn-15AI filler metal. Microhardness levels from HV122 to HV515 were produced in the three brazing seam regions corresponding to various microstructure features. The Zn- and Al-rich phases exist in the middle brazing seam regions. However, two interface layers, CuZn3 and A12Cu are formed on the Cu side when the A1 content in the filler metals is 2% and more than 15%, respectively. The relationship between intermetallic compounds on Cu side and Zn-xA1 filler metals was investigated.

Microstructures of brazing zone between titanium alloy and stainless steel using various filler metals

Titanium alloy (Ti-Al-V alloy) substrate was brazed with stainless steel (STS304) using filler metal.At an optimized brazing condition,various filler metals were used.Microstructures were observed at each condition.Filler metals were titanium based 40Ti-20Zr-20Cu-20Ni,silver based Ag 5Pd,and nickel based Ni-7Cr-3.1B-4.5Si-3Fe-0.06C (BNi2) and Ni-14Cr-10P-0.06C (BNi7).To select a good filler metal for brazing process,wetting test was performed at 880-1050 °C.It was not brazed using silver based filler metals,but at the conditions using titanium and nickel based filler metals had brazed zone between titanium alloy and stainless steel.However,titanium alloy was eroded during brazing using titanium based filler metals.Nickel based filler metal has a good brazed zone between titanium alloy and stainless steel among the filler metals.

Brazing 6061 aluminum alloy with Al-Si-Zn filler metals containing Sr

Al-6.5Si-42Zn and Al-6.5Si-42Zn-0.09Sr filler metals were used for brazing 6061 aluminum alloy. Air cooling and water cooling were applied after brazing. Si phase morphologies in the brazing alloy and the brazed joints were investigated. It was found that zinc in the Al-Si filler metals could reduce the formation of eutectic Al-Si phase and lower the brazing temperature at about 520℃. Adding 0.09wt% Sr element into the Al-6.5Si-42Zn alloy caused a-Al phase refinement and transformed acicular Si phase into the finely fiber-like. After water cooling, Zn element dissolved into the Al-Si eutectic area, and η-Zn phase disappeared in the brazed joints. Tensile strength testing results showed that the Sr-modified filler metal could enhance the strength of the brazed joints by 13% than Al-12Si, while water-cooling further improved the strength at 144 MPa.

Microstructure and properties of the joints of ZrO2 ceramic/ stainless steel brazed in vacuum with AgCuTi active filler metal

The ZrO2 ceranfic was successfully jointed to stainless steel by vacuum brazing with active filler metal. The AgCuTi active filler metal was used and the joining was performed at a temperature of 850 ℃ for 10 rain. The microstructures of the joints were characterized by metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）. Metallographic microscopy analysis shows that the morphology of the cross section was a sandwich structure and the TiO is observed in the surface of ZrO2/ stainless steel. The diffusion and enrichment of the elements are the key roles in the brazing of ZrO2 ceramic and stainless steel. The formation of TiCu compounds inhibited the further diffusion of titanium into stainless steel or the ZrO2 ceramic to form TiO compound. In the experimental conditions, the average tensile strength is 80MPa for the joint of ZrO2 ceramic / AgCuTi/ stainless steel systems. A complete joint is formed between the ZrO2 ceramic and stainless steel with the leakage rate at the degree of 10 ^-12 Pa · m^3/s.

Interfacial features of TiAl alloy/316L stainless steel joint brazed with Zr−Cu−Ni−Al amorphous filler metal

TiAl alloy and 316L stainless steel were vacuum-brazed with Zr−50.0Cu−7.1Ni−7.1Al(at.%)amorphous filler metal.The influence of brazing time and temperature on the interfacial microstructure and shear strength of the resultant joints was investigated.The brazed seam consisted of three layers,including two diffusion layers and one residual filler metal layer.The typical microstructure of brazed TiAl alloy/316L stainless steel joint was TiAl alloy substrate/α2-(Ti3Al)/AlCuTi/residual filler metal/Cu9Zr11+Fe23Zr6/Laves-Fe2Zr/α-(Fe,Cr)/316L stainless steel substrate.Discontinuous brittle Fe2Zr layer formed near the interface between the residual filler metal layer andα-(Fe,Cr)layer.The maximum shear strength of brazed joints reached 129 MPa when brazed at 1020℃ for 10 min.The diffusion activation energies ofα2-(Ti3Al)andα-(Fe,Cr)phases were−195.769 and−112.420 kJ/mol,respectively,the diffusion constants for these two phases were 3.639×10^(−6) and 7.502×10^(−10)μm^(2)/s,respectively.Cracks initiated at Fe2Zr layer and propagated into the residual filler metal layer during the shear test.The Laves-Fe2Zr phase existing on the fracture surface suggested the brittle fracture mode of the brazed joints.

Development of Ag-Cu-Zn-Sn brazing filler metals with a 10 weight-% reduction of silver and same liquidus temperature

With BrazeTec BlueBraze the manufacturers in HVACR industry have an alternative filler metal with 10 weight-% less silver but same brazing temperatures. The performance of these new alloys has been evaluated in several tests. The evaluation included wetting investigations, metallographic examinations, joint strength at different temperatures and pulsation and corrosion resistance. The results of these tests will be presented in this paper.

Torch brazing 3003 aluminum alloy with Zn-Al filler metal

Using Zn-Al filler metal with Al content of 2%？22% （mass fraction） and improved CsF-AlF3 flux, wetting properties of Zn-Al filler metal on 3003 Al substrate were investigated. The mechanical property as well as the microstructure of the brazed joints was also studied. The results indicate that excellent joints can be produced by means of torch brazing when the Al content is less than 8%. The metallographic structure in the brazing seam is mainly composed of Al based solid solutions and Zn based solid solutions. The high hardness value of brazing seam of the 3003 aluminum alloy is higher than that of the base metal due to the effect of solid solution strengthening. The results also show that three microstructure zones could be found at the brazing interface; i.e., base metal, diffusing zone and interface zone. The distribution of the solid solution in the brazing seam is the main factor of the tensile strength rather than the diffusion zone width near the interface.

A preliminary study on filler metals for vacuum brazing of Al/Ti

In this paper, nine new filler metals contained Sn and Ga based on Al 11.5Si have been designed for vacuum brazing of Al/Ti. It is found that the addition of Sn and Ga can lower the solidus of filler metal, change the structure of intermetallic compound formed in the joint during brazing, and enhance the strength of joint. But the detail mechanism need further research.

Vacuum brazing of Si/SiC ceramic composite and Invar alloy using TiSOCu-W filler metals

Si/SiC ceramic composite and lnvar alloy were successfidly joined by vacuum brazing using Ti5OCu-W filler metals into which W was added to release the thermal stress of the brazed joint. Microstructures of the brazed joints were irwestigated by scanning electron micrascope （SEM） and energy dispersive spectrometer （EDS）. The mechanical properties of the brazed joints were measured by shearing tests. The results showed that the brazed joints were composed of Ti-Cu phase, W phase and Ti-Si phase. W had no effect on the wettability and mobility of the .filler metals. The growth of Ti2 Cu phase was restrained, and the reaction between ceramic composite and filler metals was weakened. The specimen, brazed at 970°C for 5 rain, had the maximum shear strength of 108 MPa at room temperature.

The effect of different crystal conditions of filler metal on vacuum brazing of TiAl alloy and 42CrMo

Ti-based filler metals made by transient solidification and normal crystallization were selected for the vacuum brazing of the TiAl alloy and 42CrMo under different processing parameters. The results show that the tensile strength of the joint of transient solidified filler metal is higher than that of normal crystallized filler metal under the same processing parameters. By the analysis of scanning electron microscope（SEM） and X-ray diffracting （XRD） , it is found that the higher strength maybe caused by the generating of TiAl , TiNi and TiCu at the interface of joint made by transient solidified filler metal.

Numerical simulation of copper based filler metal droplets spreading under arc brazing

The spreading behavior of copper filler metal droplets under arc brazing was studied by numerical simulation method using Surface Evolver software. The mathematical model in which arc pressure force acceleration was added to the droplet microelement as the form of gravity acceleration was used in numerical simulation. Then the 3D filler metal droplet profile for different welding currents was simulated. The results show that the simulation results and the experimental results are in good accordance. And it can be seen that the spreading height decreases and diameter increases with the increasing welding current in an approximate linear relation.

Optimization of resistance spot brazing process parameters in AHSS and AISI 304 stainless steel joint using filler metal

The aim of this research study was to determine optimal resistance spot brazing parameters for joining between AHSS and AISI 304 stainless steel by using filler metal. The key parameters investigated in this study consist of the brazing current, electrode pressure and brazing time. The Taguchi method was applied to the design of experiments. Signal-to-Noise ratio was introduced in the study to identify optimal levels from the process where input parameters yield increased shear strength. Brazing was thus implemented with 5,000A brazing current, 0.70 MPa electrode pressure, and 1.50s brazing time. The maximum shear strength obtained was 54.31 N·mm^-2 in accordance with input parameter settings. In addition, Cu-rich phase and Ag0.4Fe0.6 intermetallic phases were found at the interface zone.

Optimization of filler metal during superalloy-stainless steel arc brazing

According to the specification of superalloy-stainless steel arc brazing and characteristic of the base metal,a best filler metal which has relative lower melting point,nice wettability,good weld forming,and adequate shear strength was researched.The experiment results show that wettability of CuFeMn on the stainless steel is very poor,concomitant with a mass of purple soot during the welding which deteriorates the working condition.CuSiMn has the best wettability on both the superalloy and stainless steel,but there remains a lot of pit and slag on the surface of the weld bead.Copper-based solder has the highest melting point and its wettability and clearance fillability are weaker than CuSi3.Wettability and clearance fillability of the CuSi3 are the best in all the candidate filler metals,and its weld is smoothness and has higher shear strength.For its comprehensive ability,CuSi3 is selected as the final filler metal.

New filler metal systems for the brazing of titanium alloys

It＇ s well known welding takes the leading role in development of titanium structures. However, in number of cases technological processes of brazing are more appropriate and, sometimes, being the single possible, in particular, during production of multilayer thin-wall structures. It should be noted that brazing filler metals of Ti-Cu-Ni, Ti-Zr-Cu-Ni, Zr-Ti-Ni and Cu-Zr-Ti systems in a form of plastic foils, as well as in powder form are mainly used in world practice for brazing of titanium alloys. Present work provides the results of complex investigations of brazing filler metals of Ti-Zr-Fe, Ti-Zr-Mn and Ti-Zr-Co systems using differential thermal analysis, light and scanning microscopy, X-ray microspectrum analysis. Data on melting ranges of pilot alloys were obtained, and liquidas su^Caces of given systems using simplex-lattice method were build. Brazing filler metals covering brazing temperature range of current structural titanium materials based on solid solutions as well as intermetallics were proposed. Structure, chemical inhomogeniety and strength characteristics of brazed joints were studied. It is determined that brazing of solid solution based alloys （OT4, VT6 ） using indicated brazing fiUer metals ensures strength characteristics of joints, which are not inferior to that obtained with application of known brazing filler metals even if they are received at lower brazing temperature.

Influence of filler metal and processing on brazed joints of TiAl alloy and 42CrMo

The filler metals of AgAlTi and AgAlTiCo were selected for the vacuum brazing of TiAl alloy and 42CrMo under different processing parameters. The results show that for both filler metals, the highest tensile strength of joint can be achieved at 950℃, 15min, and with the addition of Co the joint strength becomes higher. By the comparison of the microstructure of joints, the joint interface is the main factor that influences the joint strength.

A Fe-Ni-Cr system filler metal for brazing of stainless steel

New Fe-Ni-Cr system brazing alloys were designed, in which elements Si and B as well as Cu-Ti binary alloy were added as the temperature depressants. The brazing alloys were fabricated into filler foils by a rapidly-solidifying technique. It was found that, to acquire a suitable liquidus temperature of the filler alloy, the addition of Cu-Ti binary alloy decreased the needed amount of Si and B, and it had an effect on improvement in mechanical properties of the brazed joints. Based on the results of melting and wettability experiments, one filler metal was used to join stainless steel at 1 140 ℃ for 15 min. The rnicrostructure of the joint was analyzed by means of a scanning electron microscope （SEM） equipped with X-ray energy- dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）. It was found that the typical joint was mainly composed of solid solution with a small quantity of Cr-rich borides strips, Ti-rich boride blocks and Cu-rich silicide particles. The brazed joints show an average tensile strength of 270. 8 MPa and an average impact toughness of 35.6 J/cm^2.

Aluminium-based moderate temperature filler metals for vacuum brazing of 6061 aluminium alloy

Four kinds of aluminum based moderate temperature filler metals used for vacuum brazing of 6061 aluminum alloy were prepared by rapid solidification-isothermal rolling.The effects of alloy elements content on the melting characteristics of filler metals was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC).The microstructures of the filler metals and brazed joints were observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectrometer(EDS).The results show that with the increase of Cu content into the filler metals,the liquid phase temperature gradually is decreased.Microstructure characterzation of the brazed joints shows the eutectic structure of(α+β)and(α+θ)decrease gradually,θ-CuAl_(2)(Ni)gradually increases and transforms from small fishbone shapes to block shapes.Peak shear strength of 83 MPa for the 6061 aluminum joint with Al-9.5Si-10Cu-2Ni-0.5Mg was achieved after brazing at 575℃for 2 min.

Development of Al-12Si-xTi system active ternary filler metals for Al metal matrix composites

To improve the wettability of Al metal matrix composites（Al-MMCs） by common filler metals,Al-12Si-xTi（x=0.1,0.5,1,3.0;mass fraction,%） system active ternary filler metals were prepared.It was demonstrated that although the added Ti existed within Ti（Al1-xSix）3（0≤x≤0.15） phase,the shear strength and shear fracture surface of the developed Al-12Si-xTi brazes were quite similar to those of traditional Al-12Si braze due to the presence of similar microstructure of Al-Si eutectic microstructure with large volume fraction.So,small Ti addition（～1%） did not make the active brazes brittle and hard compared with the conventional Al-12Si braze.The measured melting range of each Al-12Si-xTi foil was very similar,i.e.,580-590 ℃,because the composition was close to that of eutectic.For wettability improvement,with increasing Ti content,the interfacial gap between the Al2O3 reinforcement and filler metal（R/M） could be eliminated,and the amount of the remainder of the active fillers on the composite substrate decreased after sessile drop test at 610 ℃ for 30 min.So,the wettability improvement became easy to observe repeatedly with increasing Ti content.Additionally,the amount and size of Ti（AlSi）3 phase were sensitive to the Ti content（before brazing） and Si content（after brazing）.

Saturation phenomenon of Ce and Ti in the modification of Al–Zn–Si filler metal

Cerium and titanium were added to an A1-42Zn-5.5Si brazing alloy, and the subsequent microstructures of the brazing alloy and the 6061 AI alloy brazing seam were investigated. The microstructures of filler metals and brazed joints were characterized by scanning elec- tron microscopy and X-ray energy dispersion spectrometry. A new Ce-Ti phase formed around the silicon phase in the modified filler metal and this saturation phenomenon was analyzed. Interestingly, following brazing of the 6061 alloy, there is no evidence of the Ce--Ti phase in the brazing seam. Because of the mutual solubility of the brazing alloy and base metal, the quantity of the solvent increases, and the solute Ce and Ti atoms assume an undersaturated state.