Infrared brazing Cu and Ti using a 95Ag-5Al braze alloy

Dynamic wetting angle measurements, microstructural evolution, reaction kinetics, and shear strength of infrared brazing Cu and Ti using a 95Ag-5Al braze alloy are evaluated. The specimen infrared brazed at 900 °C consists mainly of Cu₂Ti and Cu₄Ti. Both CuTi and Cu₄Ti₃ are observed at the interface between the braze and Ti substrate. Microstructures of Ti/95Ag-5Al/Cu joints infrared brazed at 830 °C and 850 °C are very different from that of the joint infrared brazed at 900 °C, because the dissolution of both substrates significantly decreased as the brazing temperature decreased. Specimens infrared brazed at 830 °C and 850 °C are primarily comprised of Ag-Cu eutectic and the Cu-rich phase. Two interfacial reaction layers, including Ti₂Cu and AlCu₂Ti, are found in the experiment. The shear strengths of infrared brazed specimens at 830 °C and 850 °C are between 160 and 198.5 MPa, and are fractured along the interfacial reaction layers, AlCu₂Ti and Ti₂Cu, between the braze alloy and Ti substrate. The use of the infrared brazing provides an effective way to inhibit the growth of intermetallics at the interface between the braze alloy and substrate.     

Brazing Inconel 625 Using the Copper Foil

Brazing Inconel 625 (IN-625) using the copper foil has been investigated in this research. The brazed joint is composed of nanosized CrNi₃ precipitates and Cr/Mo/Nb/Ni quaternary compound in the Cu/Ni-rich matrix. The copper filler 50 μm in thickness is enough for the joint filling. However, the application of Cu foil 100 μm in thickness has little effect on the shear strength of the brazed joint. The specimen brazed at 1433 K (1160 °C) for 1800 seconds demonstrates the best shear strength of 470 MPa, and its fractograph is dominated by ductile dimple fracture with sliding marks. Decreasing the brazing temperature slightly decreases the shear strength of the brazed joint due to the presence of a few isolated solidification shrinkage voids smaller than 15 μm. Increasing the brazing temperature, especially for the specimen brazed at 1473 K (1200 °C), significantly deteriorates the shear strength of the joint below 260 MPa because of coalescence of isothermal solidification shrinkage voids in the joint. The Cu foil demonstrates potential in brazing IN-625 for industrial application.     

Brazing of Ti-6Al-4V and niobium using three silver-base braze alloys

Evaluations of the (infrared)-brazed Ti-6Al-4V and niobium joints using three silver-base braze alloys have been extensively studied. According to the dynamic wetting angle measurement results, the niobium substrate cannot be effectively wetted by all three braze alloys. Because the dissolution of Ti-6Al-4V substrate causes transport of Ti into the molten braze, the molten braze dissolved with Ti can effectively wet the niobium substrate during brazing. For infrared-brazed Ti-6Al-4V/Ag/Nb joint, it is mainly comprised of the Ag-rich matrix. The TiAg reaction layer is observed at the interface between the braze and Ti-6Al-4V substrate. In contrast, Ti-rich, Ag-rich, and interfacial TiAg phases are found in the furnace-brazed specimen. The dominated Ti-rich phase in the joint is caused by enhanced dissolution between the molten braze and Ti-6Al-4V substrate. The infrared-brazed Ti-6Al-4V/72Ag-28Cu/Nb joint is mainly comprised of the Ag-rich matrix and Ag-Cu eutectic. With increasing the brazing temperature or time, the amount of Ag-Cu eutectic is decreased, and the interfacial Cu-Ti reaction layer(s) is increased. The infrared brazed joint has the highest average shear strength of 224.1 MPa. The averaged shear strength of the brazed joint is decreased with increasing brazing temperature or time, and its fracture location changes from the braze alloy into the interfacial reaction layer(s) due to excessive growth of the Cu-Ti intermetallics. The infrared-brazed Ti-6Al-4V/95Ag-5Al/Nb joint is composed of Ag-rich matrix and TiAl interfacial reaction layer. With increasing the brazing time, the amount of Ag-rich phase is greatly decreased, and the interfacial reaction layer becomes Ti₃Al due to enhanced dissolution of Ti-6Al-4V substrate into the molten braze. The average shear strength of the infrared-brazed joint is 172.8 MPa. Additionally, the existence of an interfacial Ti₃Al reaction layer significantly deteriorates the shear strength of the furnace-brazed specimen.     

Infrared Brazing Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al Using Ag-Based Filler Metals

The microstructural evolution and bonding shear strength of infrared brazed Fe₃Al using Ag and BAg-8 (72Ag-28Cu in wt pct) braze alloys have been studied. The Ag-rich phase alloyed with Al dominates the entire Ag brazed joints, and the shear strength is independent of the brazing time. The BAg-8 brazed joint contains Ag-Cu eutectic for all brazing conditions, and its shear strength increases slightly with increasing brazing time. The highest shear strength of 181 MPa is acquired from the joint infrared brazed at 1073 K (800 °C) for 600 seconds. A thin layer of Fe₃Al is identified at the interface between the brazed zone and the substrate for both braze alloys. An Al depletion zone in the Fe₃Al substrate next to the interfacial Fe₃Al is identified as the α-Fe phase. The dissolution of Al from the Fe₃Al substrate into the molten braze causes the formation of α-Fe in the Fe₃Al substrate.     

Interfacial morphologies between NiO–YSZ fuel electrode/316 stainless steel as interconnect material and B‐Ni3 brazing alloy in solid oxide fuel cell system: effect of joint loading during brazing

Abstract

Joining of NiO–YSZ composite with 316 stainless steel was carried out using B‐Ni3 brazing filler alloy (Ni–4·5Si–3·2B–0·06C–0·02P, wt‐%; melting point, 982–1038°C) and two samples were fabricated. On the one hand, interfacial (chemical) reactions during brazing at the NiO–YSZ/316 stainless steel interconnect were promoted only by addition of an electroless nickel plate to NiO–YSZ composite as a coating with relevant process variables and procedures optimised during the electroless nickel plating. On the other hand, moderate loading was applied during brazing normal to the joint surface where electroless nickel plate was coated previously to improve interfacial sealing of the NiO–YSZ cermet anode/316 stainless steel interconnect structure for use in a solid oxide fuel cell. A special fixture for static loading was designed for filler metal alloy strips to be preplaced at the joint surface where static loading was applied perpendicular to it for the promotion of liquid alloy layer formation during brazing. Brazing was performed in a cold wall vacuum furnace at 1080°C and post‐brazing examination of interfacial morphologies between NiO–YSZ composite and 316 stainless steel was performed using SEM and EDS analyses. The results indicate that B‐Ni3 brazing filler alloy was fused fully during brazing and continuous interfacial layer formation and joint integrity were significantly affected by applied static loading during brazing. The loading most probably contributed to promotion of the B‐Ni3 liquid phase formation in the joint. However, the thickness of the interface area remained almost the same at 100?μm for loaded and unloaded joints.

On a assemblé le composite NiO–YSZ avec l’acier inoxydable 316 en utilisant l’alliage d’apport de brasage B‐Ni3 (4·5% en poids Si, 3·2% en poids B, 0·06% en poids C, 0·02% en poids P, et le reste, Ni, point de fusion 982–1038°C) et l’on a fabriqué deux échantillons. D’un côté, on a stimulé les réactions interfaciales (chimiques) lors du brasage à l’interconnexion NiO–YSZ/acier inoxydable 316 uniquement par addition d’un revêtement autocatalytique de nickel au composite NiO/YSZ, les variables pertinentes du procédé et les procédures étant optimisées lors du dépôt autocatalytique de nickel. D’un autre côté, lors du brasage, on a appliqué une charge modérée, normale à la surface du joint, où l’on avait auparavant déposé le nickel autocatalytique, pour améliorer le scellement interfacial de la structure de l’interconnexion de l’anode cermet NiO–YSZ/acier inoxydable 316 pour utilisation dans une SOFC (pile à combustible à oxyde solide). On a créé un montage spécifique pour charge statique pour que les rubans d’alliage de métal d’apport soient préplacés à la surface du joint où la charge statique était appliquée perpendiculaire à celui‐ci pour promouvoir la formation d’une couche d’alliage liquide lors du brasage. On a effectué le brasage dans un four à vide à paroi froide à 1080°C et, après le brasage, on a examiné les morphologies interfaciales entre le composite NiO–YSZ et l’acier inoxydable 316 en utilisant les analyses de SEM et d’EDS. Les résultats indiquent que l’alliage d’apport de brasage B‐Ni3 était complètement fusionné lors du brasage et la formation d’une couche interfaciale, continue, ainsi que l’intégrité du joint étaient affectées significativement par la charge statique appliquée lors du brasage. La charge a fort probablement contribué à la promotion de la formation de la phase liquide de B‐Ni3 dans le joint. Cependant, l’épaisseur de la région d’interface demeurait presque la même à 100?μm pour les joints avec ou sans charge.     

Infrared repair brazing of 403 stainless steel with a nickel-based braze alloy

Martensitic stainless steel (403SS) is extensively used for intermediate and low-pressure steam turbine blades in fossil-fuel power plants. The purpose of this investigation is to study the repair of shallow cracks on the surface of 403SS steam turbine blades by infrared repair brazing using rapid thermal cycles. A nickel-based braze alloy (NICROBRAZ LM) is used as filler metal. The braze alloy after brazing is primarily comprised of borides and an FeNi₃ matrix with different amounts of alloying elements, especially B and Si. As the brazing temperature increases, more Fe atoms are dissolved into the molten braze. Some boron atoms diffuse into the 403SS substrate primarily via grain boundary diffusion and form B-Cr-Fe intermetallic precipitates along the grain boundaries. The LM filler metal demonstrates better performance than 403SS in both microhardness and wear tests. It is also noted that specimens brazed in a vacuum have less porosity than those brazed in an Ar atmosphere. The shear strength of the joint is around 300 MPa except for specimens brazed in short time periods, e.g., 5 seconds in Ar flow and 30 seconds in vacuum. The fractographs mainly consist of brittle fractures and no ductile dimple fractures observed in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination.     

Effect of plasma nitriding parameters on corrosion performance of 17-4 PH stainless steel

This study investigates the effect of plasma nitriding parameters on corrosion susceptibility of 17-4 PH stainless steel in 3.5?wt-% NaCl solution. In this regard, 17-4 PH stainless steel was plasma nitrided at 400°C for 5 and 10?h, 450°C for 5?h and 500°C for 5?h. Cross-sectional images after nitriding process showed that a uniform nitrided layer has been formed on steel substrate. Depending on the temperature and time of the nitriding process, different phases were formed in the nitrided layer. This affected general corrosion and pitting corrosion performance of 17-4 PH stainless steel in 3.5?wt-% NaCl solution. While precipitation of chromium nitrides for nitrided specimens at 450°C and higher increased the susceptibility to pitting and general corrosion, formation of expanded martensite (EM) in nitriding at 400°C improved the pitting corrosion resistance of 17-4 PH stainless steel. This is believed to be due to the release of nitrogen atoms from EM phase to form ammonium ions and increase the pH of the solution, supressing pit growth.     

Brazing Inconel 625 Using Two Ni/(Fe)-Based Amorphous Filler Foils

For MBF-51 filler, the brazed joint consists of interfacial grain boundary borides, coarse Nb₆Ni₁₆Si₇, and Ni/Cr-rich matrix. In contrast, the VZ-2106 brazed joint is composed of interfacial Nb₆Ni₁₆Si₇ precipitates as well as grain boundary borides, coarse Nb₆Ni₁₆Si₇, and Ni/Cr/Fe-rich matrix. The maximum tensile strength of 443?MPa is obtained from the MBF-51 brazed specimen. The tensile strengths of VZ-2106 brazed joints are approximately 300?MPa. Both amorphous filler foils demonstrate potential in brazing IN-625 substrate.     

Brazing of hot isostatically pressed-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> to stainless steel (AlSl 304L) by Mo-Mn route using 72Ag-28Cu braze

Joining of stainless steel (AISI 304L) to hot isostatically pressed alumina (HIP-Al₂O₃) using the brazing alloy 72Ag-28Cu was investigated. The microstructural characterization at various stages of joining, including metallization, annealing of overlaid Ni coating, and brazing, was comprehensively evaluated. The interface structure and the growth of phases were analyzed with optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). Additionally, the leak tightness of these joints was assessed using a He-leak detector. Experimental results indicated the development of the manganese aluminate spinel (MnAl₂O₄) layer at the metallizing stage, which penetrated into HIP-Al₂O₃. The Ni overlaid coating further resulted in the formation of the Ni(Mo) solid solution layer followed by the Mo-rich phase. During the solid-state reaction and subsequent brazing cycle, the growth of the spinel layer close to HIP-Al₂O₃ was not adversely affected. The microstructure of the brazed joint was complex. It showed a eutectic structure within the brazed zone and a thin layer of Mo-rich, Ni-rich phases close to HIP-Al₂O₃. Increasing the brazing time resulted in the excessive growth of the thin layer that seriously affected the leak tightness of the joint.     

Microstructural evolution at the bonding interface during the early-stage infrared active brazing of alumina

Infrared brazing of Al₂O₃ and alloy 42 using a silver-base active braze alloy was investigated at 900 °C for 0 to 300 seconds, with a heating rate of 3000 °C/min. Experimental results show that Ti₃(Cu, Al)₃O intermetallic with various amounts of Al is observed in the reaction layer and plays an important role in the early stage of reactive wetting. A two-layer structure is observed at the reaction interface brazed at 900 °C for 5 seconds. The reaction layer close to the alumina contains large amounts of Al, so the mass balance of the system is maintained. The growth of the reaction layer is not rate controlled by diffusion within the first 120 seconds. After 120 seconds, the rate controlling mechanism of the reaction layer becomes the diffusion control, satisfying the parabolic law. Dynamic wetting angle measurements using a traditional vacuum furnace at the heating rate of 10 °C/min demonstrate that the wetting angle rapidly decreases within the first 150 seconds, especially 0 to 80 seconds, and eventually stabilizes after 600 seconds.     

陶瓷耐磨缸套真空钎焊接头组织性能研究

本文采用钴基焊料实现了氧化锆陶瓷与不锈钢的真空钎焊,并通过扫描电镜（SEM）和XRD对接头的微观组织结构进行了研究。结果表明：接头微观组织致密,镀镍层在真空钎焊过程中发生了扩散和迁移,增强了界面化学反应的活性,镍与ZrO2陶瓷易生成多种化合物（Ni3Zr、Ni5Zr、Ni7Zr2和Ni21Zr8）,在接头中还有Ni4Mo、Ni4Mn等新相生成,实现了部分化学键结合,使接头强度得到显著提高。     

Microstructural Evolution of Brazed CP-Ti Using the Clad Ti-20Zr-20Cu-20Ni Foil

Microstructural evolution of the clad Ti-20Zr-20Cu-20Ni foil brazed CP-Ti alloy has been investigated. For the specimen furnace brazed below 1143?K (870???C), the joint is dominated by coarse eutectic and fine eutectoid structures. Increasing the brazing temperature above 1163?K (890???C) results in disappearance of coarse eutectic structure, and the joint is mainly comprised of a fine eutectoid of (Ti,Zr)₂Ni, Ti₂Cu, Ti₂Ni, and ??-Ti.     

Infrared Brazing Ti50Ni50 and Invar Using Ag-Based Filler Foils

Infrared brazing Ti₅₀Ni₅₀ and Invar using BAg-8 and Cusil-ABA foils was investigated. The Ag-Cu eutectic matrix dominates both brazed joints. The maximum shear strengths of the brazed joints using BAg-8 and Cusil-ABA fillers are 158 and 249 MPa. Failure of interfacial Fe₂Ti/Ni₃Ti reaction layers is responsible for the BAg-8 joint. In contrast, the Cusil-ABA brazed joint is fractured along the interfacial Fe₂Ti intermetallic compound. Both fractographs are characterized with cleavage dominated fracture.     

以Nb为中间层AgCuTi为钎料连接炭/炭复合材料与不锈钢

在连接温度为900℃、保温时间10 min的条件下,以Nb为中间层,采用AgCuTi钎料对炭/炭复合材料与不锈钢进行连接.利用扫描电镜和X射线衍射对接头界面组织进行分析.实验结果表明,以Nb为中间层、AgCuTi为钎料能很好地连接炭/炭复合材料与不锈钢;连接过程中,钎料中的Ti向炭/炭复合材料界面区聚集并形成含TiC的...     

Effects of the Process Parameters on the Microstructure and Properties of Nitrided 17-4PH Stainless Steel

The effects of process parameters on the microstructure, microhardness, and dry-sliding wear behavior of plasma nitrided 17-4PH stainless steel were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and wear testing. The results show that a wear-resistant nitrided layer was formed on the surface of direct current plasma nitrided 17-4PH martensitic stainless steel. The microstructure and thickness of the nitrided layer is dependent on the treatment temperature rather than process pressure. XRD indicated that a single α _N phase was formed during nitriding at 623 K (350 °C). When the temperature increased, the α _N phase disappeared and CrN transformed in the nitrided layer. The hardness measurement demonstrated that the hardness of the stainless substrate steel increased from 320 HV_0.1 in the untreated condition increasing to about 1275HV_0.1 after nitriding 623 K (350 °C)/600 pa/4 hours. The extremely high values of the microhardness achieved by the great misfit-induced stress fields associated with the plenty of dislocation group and stacking fault. Dry-sliding wear resistance was improved by DC plasma nitriding. The best wear-resistance performance of a nitrided sample was obtained after nitriding at 673 K (350 °C), when the single α _N-phase was produced and there were no CrN precipitates in the nitrided layer.     

DISPERSIONS OF BORON CARBIDE WITH BARRIER LAYERS IN STAINLESS STEEL

Abstract

The possibility has been studied of preventing reaction between boron-carbide particles and an austenitic stainless-steel matrix by means of a a barrier layer on the particles. Silicon carbide is compatible with boron carbide up to 2000°C but reacts extensively with austenitic stainless steel above 1000°C and is thus ineffective as a barrier layer. Titanium carbide deposited from the vapour phase, although it reacts with B₄C above 1300°C and under certain conditions with austenitic stainless steel at 1100°C, was the most suitable material considered.     

Joint zone evolution in infrared bonded steels with copper filler

Low carbon steels have been joined using an infrared processing technique with copper as the filler material. Single lap specimens were prepared. The joining temperatures were 1100 °C, 1125 °C, and 1150 °C with joining time ranging from 0 to 2 minutes in flowing argon. Excellent wetting between the base materials and the filler was observed for all samples. The joint shear strength was determined with a specially designed fixture to minimize the bending moment of specimens during testing. The measured joint shear strength varies from 240 to 300 MPa depending on the processing conditions. The maximum strength obtained is about 300 MPa, which can be achieved by processing at 1125 °C for 60 seconds or 1150 °C for only 30 seconds. Higher processing temperatures or longer processing time than these conditions did not improve the joint strength. Joint cross-section examinations revealed that there are no voids in the joint. Microhardness tests performed on the cross sections of joined samples across the joint zone indicate that the joint zone hardness is higher than that of pure copper. Examinations with energy dispersive analysis of X-ray revealed presence of iron in the joint as well as a small amount of copper inside the base materials.     

Effect of Bonding Temperature on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of WC–Co/Steel Diffusion Brazed Joint

In this work, the diffusion brazing of AISI 4145 steel to WC–Co cemented carbide using RBCuZn-D interlayer with bonding temperature values of 930, 960, 990 and 1020 °C was studied. The microstructure of the joint zone was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Vickers microhardness and shear strength tests were performed to investigate mechanical behaviors of the brazed joints. The XRD and SEM results indicated that with increase of bonding temperature, the elements readily diffused along the interface and formed various compounds such as γ, α and β and Co₃W₃C. The results also showed that with the increase of bonding temperature from 930 to 960 °C, a sound metallurgical bond was produced, however in higher bonding temperatures (990 and 1020 °C) a decrease in mechanical properties of the joints was observed which could be due to the excessive zinc evaporation, interface heterogeneity and voids formation. The maximum shear strength of 425 MPa was obtained for the bond made at 960 °C.     

Preparation of Ti–Ni binary powder via electroless nickel plating of titanium powder

Abstract

In this study, Ti powder (average size: 45 μm) was plated/coated by electroless Ni with hydrazine hydrate as reductant. The Ni plating was carried out at 85°C and pH 9–10. The influence of process parameters such as plating period as well as reductant concentration was investigated. The Ni plated Ti powder was characterised by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer analysis and X-ray fluorescence. It is found that a pure/uniform Ni layer may be deposited on the Ti powder particles. The deposited mass increases as plating period/reductant concentration increases.