Fluxless laser brazing of aluminium alloy to galvanized steel using a tandem beam – dissimilar laser brazing of aluminium alloy and steels

Tandem beam brazing with aluminium filler metal (BA4047) was conducted in order to develop the fluxless laser brazing technique of aluminium alloy (AA6022) to galvanized steels (GA and GI steels). Laser powers of tandem beam and offset distance of preheating beam from the root to the steel base metal were varied. Sound braze beads could be obtained by optimizing the preheating and main beam powers under the offset distances of 0–1 mm. A small amount of zinc remained at the braze interface between galvanized steels and the braze metal. The reaction layer consisting of Fe–Al intermetallic compounds was also formed at the steel interface, and the thickness of reaction layer could be predicted during the laser brazing (thermal cycle) process based on the growth kinetics with the additivity rule. The metal flow analysis of the melted filler metal on joints revealed that wettability and spreadability of the filler metal on the GI steel joint were superior to those on the GA steel joint. The fracture strength of the lap joint attained approx. 55–75% of the base metal strength of aluminium alloy. It was concluded that fluxless laser brazing could be successfully performed by using a tandem beam because the zinc coat layer acted as the brazing flux.     

Interfacial structure and bond strength of ultrasonic brazed Al–304 stainless steel dissimilar joints

Abstract

A filler alloy (Zn–14 at.-%Al) was used to join aluminium to 304 type stainless steel by ultrasonic brazing at 673 K for different ultrasound application times. Different reaction layers could be observed at the interface, containing Fe–Al, Fe–Zn, and Al–Zn solid solutions. As the amount of these solid solutions increased at the interface, there was a gradual improvement in the joint bond strength. The maximum bond strength of 146 MPa was obtained for the Al–304 joint brazed at 673 K for 3 s ultrasound application time. A critical remaining thickness of the filler alloy after ultrasonic application improves the interfacial joining. Extending the ultrasound application time beyond 3 s causes a bulk escape of the brazing alloy from the interface and leads to a direct interaction between aluminium and 304, which increases the possibility of forming intermetallics, and consequently decreases the joint bond strength.     

Hot cracking in laser braze joint of high strength stainless steel using gold brazing filler metal – prevention of hot cracking by controlling thermal cycle

Abstract

The hot cracking behaviour in the diode laser braze joint of 13Cr–4Ni stainless steel using Au–18Ni, Ag–10Pd and Ag–21Cu–25Pd filler metals has been investigated. The types of joint investigated were the T fillet joint and the L fillet joint which simulated the second braze bead in the T fillet joint. Tandem beam brazing was also carried out in order to prevent the hot cracking by post-heating treatment with a trailing beam. A centreline crack, characterised as a ductility dip crack, occurred in the second braze bead of the T fillet joint using Au–Ni filler metal. On the other hand, no cracks occurred in either the first or the second braze bead in T fillet braze joints using Ag–Pd and Ag–Cu–Pd filler metals. The hot cracking susceptibility of the Au–Ni braze metal was evaluated by the spot Varestraint test. Most of the cracks observed in the spot Varestraint test specimen were also characterised as ductility dip cracks, and the susceptibility to such cracking increased with increasing the augmented strain. The ductility dip temperature range (DTR) was estimated from the crack position and length to be 1000–1250 K at strains over 0·4%. Numerical analyses of the thermal stress and strain revealed that the plastic strain–temperature curve intersected the DTR in the single beam brazing, but did not intersect the DTR with post-heating during the laser brazing. The effect of post-heating on the crack prevention was verified by tandem beam brazing of L fillet joint with a trailing beam. No cracks occurred in the braze bead made with a trailing beam at laser powers of 200–300 W. The authors concluded that hot cracking in the Au–Ni braze metal could be successfully prevented by controlling the thermal cycle during the laser brazing process.     

Analysis of intermetallic layer in dissimilar TIG welding–brazing butt joint of aluminium alloy to stainless steel

Abstract

Intermetallic layer of dissimilar tungsten inert gas welding–brazing butt joint of aluminium alloy/ stainless steel has been studied. A visible unequal thickness intermetallic layer has formed in welded seam/steel interface, and the thickness of the whole layer is <10 μm. The interface with Al–12Si filler metal consists of τ ₅-Al₈Fe₂Si layer in welded seam side and θ-(Al,Si)₁₃Fe₄ layer in steel side with the hardness values of 1025 and 835 HV respectively, while the interface with Al–6Cu filler metal consists of θ-Al₁₃(Fe,Cu)₄ layer with the hardness of 645 HV. The average tensile strength of the joint with Al–12Si filler metal is 100–120 MPa, and the fracture occurs at θ-(Al,Si)₁₃Fe₄ layer, while the joint with Al–6%Cu filler metal presents high crack resistance with tensile strength of 155–175 MPa, which reaches more than 50% of aluminium base metal strength.     

Laser brazing of alloy 600 with precious filler metals

Abstract

The diode laser brazing of Ni base heat resistant alloy with precious filler metals has been conducted using the tandem beam for preheating and brazing. A couple of 1 mm thick plates of alloy 600 (Inconel 600) were butt brazed using Au–18Ni, Ag–10Pd and Ag–21Cu–25Pd filler metals of 0·5 mm diameter with a brazing flux. Sound butt joints which were free from brazing defects such as porosity and lack of penetration could be obtained at brazing clearances of 0·1–1·5 mm. The tensile strength of the braze joint produced using Ag–Pd filler metal increased with decreasing brazing clearance and reached ～70% of the base metal strength at a brazing clearance of 0·1 mm while those obtained by using Au–Ni and Ag–Cu–Pd filler metals were comparable with the base metal strength at any clearances between 0·1 and 1·5 mm. The laser brazing technique could be successfully applied to the brazing of Ni base superalloy to attain a joint with high performance and reliability.     

Fluxless laser beam joining of aluminium with zinc coated steel

Abstract

A laser welding–brazing (LWB) process to join zinc coated steel and aluminium sheets in two different flange geometries is reported. The deep drawing steel sheets are covered by a zinc layer of maximum thickness 10 μm, and a zinc based filler wire was used in the welding experiments with a Nd–YAG laser. Because of the differences in melting temperatures between iron (1808 K), aluminium (933 K), and zinc (693 K), it is possible to weld the aluminium alloy only. Owing to the zinc coating on the steel side, a Zn–Al alloy can be brazed onto the steel without any flux agent. The inevitable formation of a Fe–Al intermetallic phase at the bondline of the weld seam and the steel can be limited to a thickness of less than 5 μm and to a proportion of the contact area only. Mechanical as well as dynamic tests show results comparable to those obtained via other joining techniques. Salt chamber corrosion tests of varnished specimens display minor damage and no decline in tensile strength.     

Fluxless joining of aluminium alloy to steel by laser irradiation method

A6061 aluminium alloy was joined with steel using Zn filler metal under laser irradiation process. The quality of joint was evaluated by the strength of a lap joint. The effects of laser power irradiation conditions such as travelling speed and defocused distance on the joint strength were investigated. The maximum joint strength was obtained at relatively medium laser travelling speed. The excess reaction between filler metal and aluminium formed thick brittle intermetallic compounds between steel and aluminium alloy. The compounds are considered to lead to the reduction in joint strength. It was found that low wetting at high travelling speed and excess reaction layer formation at low travelling speed were responsible for low joint strength. The study revealed that the relatively high joint strength between aluminium alloy and steel was obtained by laser joining method using Zn filler without the use of flux in air atmosphere.     

Metallurgical and mechanical investigations of aluminium-steel butt joint made by tungsten inert gas welding–brazing

Abstract

Dissimilar metals of 5A06 aluminium alloy and SUS321 stainless steel were butt joined by tungsten inert gas welding–brazing with BJ380A filler metal and modified non-corrosive flux. The interface in seam/steel is made up of two kinds of intermetallic phase layers, τ ₅-Al₇Fe₂Si phase in the seam side and θ-FeAl₃ phase in the steel side. The granular phase in welded seam is CuAl₂, and the lath shaped phase is τ ₆-Al₅FeSi. In the fusion area, the chainlike phase is Al–Si eutectic structure, and the block-like phase is Al₆(Fe,Mn). The tensile strength of the butt joint reaches 125 MPa, and fracture occurs at τ ₅-layer, with highest hardness value of 950 HV. The present joint without coated layer can reach the same level to those with coated layer.     

Brazing diamond grits onto a steel substrate using copper alloys as the filler metals

Surface-set diamond tools were fabricated by an active metal brazing process, using bronze (Cu-8.9Sn) powder and 316L stainless steel powder mixed to various ratios as the braze filler metals. The diamond grits were brazed onto a steel substrate at 1050 °C for 30 min in a dry hydrogen atmosphere. After brazing practice, an intermediate layer rich in chromium formed between the braze filler metal and diamond. A braze filler metal composed of 70 wt % bronze powder and 30 wt % stainless steel powder was found to be optimum in that the diamond grits were strongly impregnated in the filler metal by both mechanical and chemical types of holding. The diamond tools thus fabricated performed better than conventional nickel-plated diamond tools. In service, the braze filler metal wore at almost the same rate as the diamond grits, and no pullout of diamond grits or peeling of the filler metal layer took place.     

Glow discharge plasma brazing of Fe–Ni alloy in vacuum

Abstract

A novel vacuum brazing technique, termed glow discharge plasma brazing, is investigated. During the brazing process, the heating temperature of base metals is proportional to the square of the operating barometric pressure and the operating voltage, and the temperature distribution of the base metals is easily regulated by means of suitable measures. The ion beam from the glow discharge anode can efficiently sputterclean the surface of the base metals and the filler metal, which improves the wetting and spreading properties of the filler metal. Unlike the traditional vacuum brazing process, a high quality braze of Fe–Ni alloy is achieved at lower vacuum (a pressure of 5– 30 Pa or higher) by using the glow discharge brazing method. The brazing technique has a promising application in industry.     

Numerical modelling and experimental investigation of diffusion brazing SS304/BNi-2/SS304 joint

Abstract

The kinetics of dissolution and isothermal solidification at the bonding temperature during diffusion brazing SS304/BNi-2/SS304 has been studied through a combination of analytical modelling and experimental investigations. The modelling is based on the diffusion theory and the consideration of transient motion of liquid/solid interface. A set of coupled finite differential equations has been programmed to track the motion of liquid/solid interface during the isothermal solidification of liquid filler. Four parameters can be mathematically determined from the analytical modelling including the evolution of solute concentration profile, the maximum diffusion distance, and the maximum liquid thickness as well as the time to complete the isothermal solidification. These analyses are helpful to understanding the joining mechanism during diffusion brazing. The temperature dependent diffusion coefficient used in the modelling is derived together with the experimental data from brazing the wedge shaped joint specimen of SS304/BNi-2/SS304. The effects of bonding temperature and initial joint thickness on the joining process have also been investigated.     

Vibration assisted brazing of SiCp/A356 composites: microstructure and mechanical behaviour

Abstract

Vibration assisted brazing of SiCp/A356 composites in air was investigated. A vibration was applied on one of the samples to be bonded at 375°C during brazing. The filler metal was extruded reciprocally and impacted intensively and reciprocally on the two surfaces of the base materials during vibrating. It can be found that most of the oxide film on the surface of the composites was disrupted and removed through the observation by SEM. The metallurgical bonds formed between the filler metal and the base materials. However, a lot of porosities were entrapped in the bond metal. A vibration was once more applied after the samples were continuously heated up to 520°C, and any porosity could not be found. The bonds mainly composed of a new alloy, which have a higher content of aluminium and free of porosities, show a higher shear strength of 178 MPa comparing to that of the base materials.     

TC4钛合金/304不锈钢异种材料蜂窝结构钎焊工艺

采用Ti-37.5Zr-15Cu-10Ni和Ag-28Cu两种钎料分别对TC4钛合金面板/304不锈钢蜂窝芯异种材料蜂窝结构进行了钎焊,对钎焊界面组织和蜂窝结构的力学性能进行了对比分析. 结果表明,Ti基钎料与304不锈钢蜂窝芯箔材界面润湿反应性能较差且Ti基钎料钎缝显微硬度较高,导致钎焊界面强度低,蜂窝拉伸力学性能差. Ag基钎料与304不锈钢蜂窝芯箔材和TC4面板均发生显著的界面反应,钎焊温度830 ℃,保温时间10 min时,蜂窝抗拉强度为10.35 MPa,呈蜂窝芯破坏特征. Ag基钎料蜂窝抗拉强度明显优于Ti基钎料结果,适用于TC4钛合金面板/304不锈钢蜂窝芯异种材料蜂窝钎焊.     

Mechanical properties of laser-pressure-welded joint between dissimilar galvannealed steel and pure aluminium

Dissimilar metal joints of Zn-coated Galvannealed steel (GA steel) and commercially available pure aluminium (A1050) sheets were produced by changing the laser power and the roller pressure by the laser pressure welding method. By this method, the YAG laser beam was irradiated into a flare groove made by these dissimilar metal sheets. In addition, the laser beam was scanned at various frequencies and patterns through the fθ lens using two-dimensional scanning mirrors. Then the sheets were pressed by the pressure rolls to be joined.

The compound layers in the weld interface were observed by an optical microscope and the layer thicknesses were measured. The thicknesses ranged from 7 to 20 μm. The mechanical properties of the welded joints were evaluated by the tensile-shear test and peel test. In the tensile-shear test, the strengths of the joints produced under the most welding conditions were so high that the fracture occurred through the base aluminium sheet. In the peel test of the specimens subjected to a laser beam of 1200–1400 W power under roller pressure of 2.94 kN, the specimen fracture took place in the base aluminium sheet. Even if the compound layer was thick, high joint strength was obtained. On the other hand, the specimen fractured in the weld interface at a laser power of 1500 W. The results of X-ray diffraction on the peel test specimen surface identified that the intermetallic compound on the GA steel side was Fe₂Al₅Zn_0.4. Moreover, the aluminium parts adhering to the GA steel side were confirmed. These results suggest that the fracture in the peel test occurred between the compound layer and A1050 and partly in the base aluminium. A micro-Vickers hardness test was performed to examine the hardness distribution in the compound layer. The hardness values near A1050 and GA steel were about 100 and 470 Hv, respectively, which suggests that the compound layer should not necessarily consist of brittle intermetallic compounds. It is therefore concluded that laser pressure welding could produce high strength joints of GA steel and A1050 dissimilar materials.     

Bead on plate laser brazing of dual phase steel with two copper based consumables

Abstract

High strength steels with good formability properties have been developed in recent years, especially for the automotive industry. Joining these metals is however increasingly difficult as the fusion joining processes destroy the carefully constructed microstructure of the steels, resulting in less favourable mechanical properties in and around the joint. A possible solution to this problem is the use of joining processes that require less heat input; laser brazing is one such process. In this work, the brazability of a dual phase steel sheet has been investigated by means of bead on plate brazes produced with two consumables, CuSi3 and CuAl8. Two brazability diagrams are reported and high speed video images are used to explain the differences in operating conditions for these two consumables. Temperature measurements in the steel provide an indication about the temperatures reached during the joining process, which in turn explain the changes observed in the hardness of the steel.     

Al2O3/SUS304 Brazing via AgCuTi-W Composite as Active Filler

Alumina ceramic (α-Al₂O₃) was brazed to stainless steel (SUS304) using an Ag-Cu-Ti + W composite filler and a traditional active brazing filler alloy (CuSil-ABA). Then, the effects of the presence of W particles and of the brazing parameters on the microstructures and mechanical properties of the brazed joints were investigated. The maximum tensile strength of the joints obtained using Ag-Cu-Ti + W composite filler was 13.2 MPa, which is similar to that obtained using CuSil-ABA filler (13.5 MPa). When the joint was brazed at 930 °C for 30 min, the tensile strengths decreased for both kinds of fillers, although the strength was slightly higher for the Ag-Cu-Ti + W composite filler than for the Ag-Cu-Ti filler. The interfacial microstructure results show that the Ti reacts with W to form a Ti-W-O compound in the brazing alloy. When there are more W particles in the brazing alloy, the thickness of the Ti _X O _Y reaction layer near the alumina ceramic decreases. Moreover, W particles added to the brazing alloy can reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion of the brazing alloy, which results in lower residual stress between the Al₂O₃ and SUS304 in the brazing joints and thus yields higher tensile strengths as compared to those obtained using the CuSil-ABA brazing alloy.     

Cf/SiC复合材料与304不锈钢钎焊接头组织与性能

采用Ti-Zr-Be活性钎料作为连接层,在一定工艺参数下真空钎焊C_f/SiC复合材料和304不锈钢.利用SEM,EDS,XRD和俄歇谱仪分析接头微观组织结构,利用剪切试验检测接头力学性能,分析了工艺参数对接头抗剪强度的影响.结果表明,在复合材料附近形成ZrC+TiC+Be₂C/Ti-Si反应层,连接层中主要包含FeZr₂,锆基固溶体,BeTi,Ti-Zr固溶体等反应产物,304不锈钢附近形成FeTi/αFe反应层.在连接温度为950℃,连接时间为60min时,接头室温抗剪强度最高为109.3 MPa,断裂位置为C_f/SiC复合材料与中间层连接界面靠近复合材料端.     

Microstructure and Property of Cu/Al Joint Brazed with Al-Si-Ge Filler MetalEI北大核心CSCD

Cu/Al brazing has good prospect for applications in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry. A suitable filler metal is the key of Cu/Al brazing. The chemical and physical properties of the filler metal have great influence on the brazing process and parameters. And the strength of the brazing joint is closely related to the properties of the filler metal and the brazing process. While the previous studies have not developed a kind of Cu/Al brazing filler metal which can achieve a tough joint at a low brazing temperature. In this work, the Al-5.6Si-25.2Ge filler metal was first used to braze Cu/Al dissimilar metals, and the melting characteristics of the filler metal, spreading wettability, Cu interfacial structure and strength of brazed joint were investigated systematically. Additionally, the common Zn-22Al filler metal was also used for comparison. The results show that the Al-5.6Si-25.2Ge filler metal possesses low melting temperature (about 541 degrees C) and excellent spreading wettability on Cu and Al base metals. The interfacial structure of Al-5.6Si-25.2Ge/Cu was CuAl2/CuAl/Cu3Al2. The thickness of planar CuAl and Cu3Al2 phases was only 1 similar to 2 mu m, and the thickness of cellular CuAl2 phase was about 3 mu m. The interfacial structure of Zn-22Al/Cu was CuAl2/CuAl/Cu9Al4, but the average thickness of the CuAl2 layer was up to 15 mm. The test results of the shearing strength show that the shearing strength of the Cu/Al joint brazed with Zn-22Al filler metal was only 42.7 MPa, but the shearing strength brazed with Al-5.6Si-25.2Ge filler metal was higher (53.4 MPa).     

镀锌板激光钎焊温度场的数值模拟

以镀锌钢板为母材,以CuSi3焊丝为钎料,进行了单、双光束激光钎焊实验．在分析单、双光束激光填丝钎焊传热行为的基础上,采用有限元方法对激光钎焊温度场进行了数值模拟,提出了激光填丝钎焊热源模型．采用体热源来模拟熔化钎料铺展流动引起的传热,模型考虑了热物性参数随温度的变化带来的非线性影响以及潜热、辐射和对流对传热的影响．对典型激光钎焊工艺参数下的温度场进行计算,结果表明：单光束激光钎焊有较高的温度梯度,而2mm焦点间距的双光束钎焊接头峰值温度和温度梯度低,高温区域宽,更适合于获得良好的钎焊接头．     

Interfacial microstructure and strength of steel/aluminum alloy joints welded by resistance spot welding with cover plate

We joined aluminum alloy A5052 to cold-rolled steel SPCC (Steel Plate Cold Commercial) and austenitic stainless steel SUS304 using resistance spot welding with a cover plate. The interfacial microstructure was observed using transmission electron microscopy. A thick two-layered reaction layer contains Fe₂Al₅ and FeAl₃ and a thin serration reaction layer contains Fe₂Al₅ and FeAl₃ were observed at the A5052/SPCC and A5052/SUS304 interface, respectively. Mechanical property analysis suggested that the reaction layer has no effect on the tensile shear strength of the A5052/SUS304 joint and that the tensile shear strength of the A5052/SPCC joint is influenced by the reaction layer formed at its interface.