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.     

Effect of Ti content in Ag–Cu–Ti activated filler metal on dissimilar joint formation of sialon and WC–Co alloy by laser brazing

Laser brazing was carried out for dissimilar joining of sialon and a WC–Co alloy. Eutectic type Ag–Cu alloys as filler metals with different Ti content ranging from 0 to 2·8 mass-% were used to investigate the effects of Ti on the interface structure and strength of the joint. The filler metal sheet was sandwiched between a sialon block and a WC–Co alloy plate, and a laser beam was irradiated selectively on the WC–Co alloy plate. The brazed joint was obtained using the filler metal containing >0·3 mass-%Ti. TiN, Ti₅Si₃, and Cu₄Ti layers were formed at the interface of sialon and brazed metal as compound layers. The shear strength of the brazed joint increased with increasing Ti content in the filler metal in the range 0·3–1·7 mass-%, reaching a maximum value of 106 MPa. However, the strength decreased when the Ti content became higher than 1·7 mass-%.     

Laser brazing of a dissimilar joint of austenitic stainless steel and pure copper

In many industries, there are applications that require the joining of stainless steel and copper components; therefore, the welding of dissimilar stainless steel/copper joints is a common process. For this investigation, the optimal brazing conditions and suitable filler metals for laser brazing of stainless steel/copper lap joints were studied. Tensile shear force increases with increases in the laser spot diameter or in the laser irradiation angle, which is associated with increased bonding width; however, as bonding width approaches 2 mm, tensile shear force reaches a saturated value due to fracturing at the HAZ of the Cu base plate. In order to obtain joints with high tensile shear strength, laser brazing was optimized by using Cu–Si-based filler metal under the following conditions: laser power, 4 kW; spot diameter, 3 mm; laser irradiation angle, 80°; irradiation position shift, 0.6 mm; brazing speed, 0.30 m/min; and filler metal feed speed, 0.30 min. Concerning filler metals, it was found that the Ni–Cu type showed relatively large tensile shear force even at high welding speeds in comparison with those of the Cu–Si, Cu, Cu–Ni, Ni–Cu and Ni types, respectively.     

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.     

Development of Ag based brazing filler metal with low melting point

Abstract

This study was carried out to develop cadmium free silver based brazing filler metals that meet the following requirements. First, they have to have a melting point lower than that of BAg-1 brazing filler metal. Second, they have to have not only good wetting characteristics and the ability to produce a sound joint with excellent mechanical properties but also plastic formability. Using the calculated phase diagrams on Ag–Cu–Zn–Sn quaternary system alloys, the authors selected several alloys with a possibility of meeting the above requirements. The melting point and other properties, such as hardness and brazeability of the selected alloys, were evaluated. As a result, the authors successfully developed silver based brazing filler metals that have a low melting point below ～600°C and meet the above requirements by adding a small amount of indium as an alloying element into the Ag–Cu–Zn–Sn quaternary system alloy. The newly developed brazing filler metals are slightly inferior in wetting characteristics to BAg-1; however, the brazing filler metal containing ～3 mass-% indium element showed wetting characteristics comparable to those of BAg-1. Furthermore, the new brazing filler metals could produce joints with a high tensile strength equivalent to ～83% of that of a joint brazed using BAg-1.     

TiAl基合金与Ti合金的真空钎焊

采用Ag-Cu钎料与Ti-Zr-Ni-Cu钎料,对TiAl与Ti合金进行了真空钎焊试验,主要研究了采用两种钎料时的界面反应以及钎焊温度对界面组织及性能的影响.研究发现,采用Ag-Cu钎料时界面结构为:Ti/Ti(Cu,Al)2/TiCux Ag(s,s)/Ag(s,s)/Ti(Cu,Al)2/TiAl,当钎焊温度T=1 223 K,保温时间t=10 min时接头的剪切强度达到223.3 MPa;采用Ti-Zr-Ni-Cu钎料时在界面出现了Ti2Ni,Ti(Cu,Al)2等多种金属间化合物,当钎焊温度T=1 123 K,保温时间t=10 min时接头的剪切强度达到139.97 MPa.     

几种Ag基钎料钎焊NiTiNb形状记忆合金的接头组织及性能

采用AgCuInTi、AgCuTi和AgCuPd三种钎料对NiTiNb形状记忆合金进行真空钎焊,对应的钎焊温度分别为780℃、880℃和980℃,获得了冶金质量良好的接头。微观分析结果表明,三种接头的中心区域均生成了Ag基固溶体,在该固溶体区与NiTiNb母材之间生成了灰黑色扩散反应层,其中AgCuInTi和AgCuTi钎料对应接头的反应层中生成了(Cu,Ni)Ti化合物相,而AgCuPd钎料对应接头的反应层中生成了(Cu,Pd,Ni)-Ti相。测试三种钎料对应接头的室温抗拉强度,强度最高的是AgCuPd钎料对应接头,平均值达到593 MPa;其次为AgCuInTi钎料对应接头,抗拉强度为528 MPa;强度最低的是NiTiNb/AgCuTi/NiTiNb接头,平均值为459 MPa。保温时间对NiTiNb/AgCuInTi/NiTiNb接头微观组织及强度影响较小。分析接头断口发现,断裂主要发生在性能薄弱的(Cu,Ni)Ti相区或(Cu,Pd,Ni)-Ti相区。     

Weld brazing of copper thick plates

Abstract

The weld brazing of 6 mm thick copper plates without preheating was investigated. The weld metal of weld brazing is composed of α-Cu solid solution and Cu–Ag–P eutectic structure, and the α-Cu solid solution in the weld metal of weld brazing is larger than that in the brazing weld. The average hardness values within the weld are 60 HV (50 g) lower for weld brazing than for brazing. In all weld brazing specimens tested, the failure was located in the heat affected zone with a tensile strength slightly lower than the base metal but similar to the arc welding joints.     

Physical properties of selected brazing filler metals

Abstract

A suitable selection of the filler metal is vital for producing satisfactory brazed joints. The wettability of brazing alloys with base metals depends on physical properties such as surface tension, density, melting point, and viscosity. Thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity are also important since the filler metal is frequently required to have similar values to those of the base metal. In the present paper, the physical properties of liquid alloys relevant to brazing have been evaluated. Six different filler metal systems were analysed, comprising alloys based on Ag, Al, Au, Cu, Ni, and Ti. Results show that the viscosity values for most binary brazing filler alloys are of the order of 2–8 mPa s, with Cu and Al alloys exhibiting the lowest viscosities. The surface tensions of brazing alloys vary from 800 to 1800 mN m^-1, with the lowest surface tension values corresponding to the Ag and Al alloys. Thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity values fall in the range 10–200 W m^-1 K^-1 and 17–300 μΩ cm, respectively.     

Cu基钎料MIG钎焊接头断裂行为分析

研究用Cu3SilMn钎料、Cu10Mn6Ni钎料分别MIG钎焊镀锌Q235钢板及1Cr18Ni9Ti不锈钢板。试验结果表明,在钎料／母材界面分别存在Si、Mn富集带,经XRD分析Si是以Fe2Si相形式存在,而Mn是以固溶体形式存在;用Cu3SilMn、Cu10Mn6Ni钎料钎焊镀锌Q235钢板接头抗拉强度试样均断在母材,抗拉强度为308．2－308．7MPa,钎焊1Cr18Ni9Ti不锈钢板,拉伸均断在钎缝,其抗拉强度分别是331．5MPa、423．6MPa;拉伸断口分析发现,断裂起裂点在搭接钎缝的根部,主要是母材成分与少量的钎料成分混合、溶解而成,是脆性断口;止裂点在钎缝金属中（Cu3SilMn钎料）或在近界面上（Cu10Mn6Ni钎料）,是塑性断口。     

Cold metal transfer welding–brazing of magnesium to pure copper

Magnesium alloy AZ31B and pure copper T2 were lapped and joined by cold metal transfer (CMT) welding–brazing method by AZ61A magnesium alloy wire with a 1·2 mm diameter. Results indicated that a satisfied Mg/Cu CMT welding–brazing joint was obtained in the stable welding processes with no spatter. The joint was composed of Mg–Mg welding joint formed between the Mg weld metal and the Mg base metal, and Mg–Cu brazing joint formed between the Mg weld metal and the local molten Cu base metal. The microstructure and the intermetallic compound (IMC) distribution were inspected and analysed in detail. The interfacial reaction layers of the brazing joint consisted of Mg₂Cu, Al₆Cu₄Mg₅, MgCu₂ and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ IMCs. The tensile shear strength of the Mg/Cu CMT welding–brazing joint could reach 172·5 N mm^?1. In addition, two different fracture modes were observed: at the fusion zone and at the brazing interface.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of tungsten inert gas welded–brazed Al/Ti joints

The tungsten inert gas welding–brazing process using Al-based filler metal has been developed for joining 5052 Al alloy to Ti–6Al–4V alloy in a butt configuration. The results indicated that heat input influenced the morphology and thickness of the interfacial reaction layer of Al/Ti joints, which played an important role in the mechanical properties of weldment. With the optimised tungsten electrode offset D of 1.0?mm from Al/Ti initial interface to Al side and welding current of 70?A, the thin cellular-shaped and club-shaped TiAl₃ reaction layers formed in the brazing zone, which contributed to suppressing crack initiation and propagation during tensile test. Eventually, the maximum tensile strength of 183?MPa was obtained and the optimised Al/Ti joint fractured at Al alloy base plate. Moreover, the power density characterisation and joining mechanism of Al/Ti joints were discussed.     

Interface structure and strength of brazed joints between TiC ceramic and iron

Abstract

The brazing of TiC ceramic to iron was carried out at 1123–1273 K for 5–20 min using Ag–Cu–Zn filler metal. Interface structure and shear strength of joints were investigated, the former via electron probe microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, and the latter via the shearing method. The results show the formation of three phases in the TiC ceramic–iron joint, namely, copper base solid solution, FeNi, and silver base solid solution. The highest joint shear strength of 256.5 MPa is obtained for a brazing temperature of 1173 K and brazing time of 5 min.     

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.     

Brazing of A5056 aluminium alloy with the aid of ultrasonic vibration using Ag filler metal

In order to produce a high strength brazed joint of A5056 aluminium alloy containing magnesium of about 5 mass%, the authors applied a flux-free brazing method with the aid of ultrasonic vibration to the aluminium alloy by selecting pure Ag foil as brazing filler metal and examined the effect of brazing conditions on the joint properties. The main results obtained in this study are as follows.

At a brazing temperature of 570°C, just above the eutectic point of Al–Ag binary system, application of ultrasonic vibration for 4.0 s provided the brazed joint with the maximum tensile strength and the strength decreased with the application time. When the brazing temperature was varied from 550 to 580°C and the application time of ultrasonic vibration was kept constant at 4.0 s, the joint brazed at 560°C attained the maximum tensile strength and fractured in the base metal. It was found that using a pure Ag foil as brazing filler metal successfully brazed A5056 aluminium alloy and the joint strength was equivalent to that of the base metal. Fracture of the joint was prone to occur along the (Al₃Mg₂ + Al solid solution) phase with high hardness formed at the grain boundary of the base metal. The amount of the hard (Al₃Mg₂ + Al solid solution) phase increased with the ultrasonic application time and the brazing temperature. It seemed that the increase of the hard (Al₃Mg₂ + Al solid solution) phase mainly caused the brazed joint strength to decrease.     

Diode laser brazing of aluminium alloy to steels with aluminium filler metal

Abstract

Diode laser brazing of aluminium alloy (A5052) to interstitial free steel (IF steel) or type 304 stainless steel (SUS304) was conducted using aluminium filler metal (BA4047) with Nocolock flux. The processing parameters of laser power, wire feed rate and travel speed were varied. The strength of lap joints of A5052 on steels was evaluated by tensile shear test. The joint strength of A5052/steels was increased with increasing laser power and reached the maximum strength, more than approximately 80% of the A5052 base metal strength, at a laser power of 1300 W. Voids and incomplete penetration of filler metal were observed at the A5052/braze layer interface when the laser power was below 1100 W. The Fe–Al intermetallic compounds were formed at the steel/braze layer interfaces and grew drastically when the laser power exceeded 1300 W. Superior brazability of A5052/steels was found at brazing conditions corresponding to a temperature of filler metal droplet of 1050–1250 K.     

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).     

Brazing C/SiC composites and Nb with TiNiNb active filler metal

Abstract

C/SiC composites and Nb were vacuum brazed with the Ti_39·4Ni_39·4Nb_21·2 alloy being the active filler metal. The mechanical properties of the filler material, the microstructure and the strength of brazing joints were investigated. The results showed that the filler TiNiNb alloy has a tensile strength of 860?MPa, an elongation of 51% and an elastic modulus of 78?GPa. Both Ti and Nb elements in the filler reacted with C/SiC during the brazing process, and a well bonded C/SiC–Nb joint was obtained. The ductile filler metal released the thermal stress in the joint. When the brazing was performed at 1220°C for 20?min, the shear strength of brazed joints reached 149, 120 and 73?MPa at 20, 600 and 800°C respectively.     

热解还原法制备镀镍ZrO2增强低银SnAgCu系复合钎料及其钎焊

本文采用热分解-还原法制备镀镍ZrO2增强相,粉末冶金法制备镀镍ZrO2增强Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu复合钎料,研究了ZrO2纳米颗粒表面金属化以及其对Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu复合钎料的微观结构、材料性能及钎焊接头的影响。结果表明:经机械预处理的ZrO2粒径减小、团聚降低;采用热分解-还原法成功地制备出了镀镍ZrO2增强相,Ni粒子以8-11 nm间距均匀附着于ZrO2表面,ZrO2(02)和Ni(11)界面呈半共格关系;添加适量镀镍ZrO2对Ni/ZrO2-Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu复合材料的熔点、电阻率影响不大,提高了润湿性和抗拉强度,在镀镍ZrO2增强相添加量为0.7 wt.%时Ni/ZrO2-Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu复合钎料抗拉强度、钎焊接头剪切强度均达峰值,较基体材料的相比提高了43.3%、40%。随着Ni-ZrO2增强相的添加,复合钎料钎焊接头的断裂位置由界面IMC层向过渡区的近钎缝侧移动,断裂机制由韧-脆混合断裂逐渐转为韧窝为主的韧性断裂。     

Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Electron Beam-Welded Titanium-Steel Joints with Vanadium,Nickel, Copper and Silver Filler Metals

Electron beam welding experiments of titanium alloy to stainless steel with V, Ni, Cu and Ag filler metals were carried out. The interfacial microstructures of the joints were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis. Mechanical properties of the joints were evaluated according to tensile strength and microhardness. The results showed that all the filler metals were helpful to restrain the Ti-Fe intermetallics formed in the Ti/Fe joint. The welds with different filler metals were all characterized by solid solution and interfacial intermetallics. And the type of solid solution and interfacial intermetallics were depended on the metallurgical reactions between the filler metals and base metals. The interfacial intermetallics were Fe₂Ti + Ni₃Ti + NiTi₂, TiFe, Ti₂Ag, and Cu₂Ti + CuTi + CuTi₂ in the joints welded with Ni, V, Ag, and Cu filler metals, respectively. The tensile strengths of the joints were primarily determined by the hardness of the interfacial intermetallics. The highest tensile strength was obtained in the joint welded with silver filler metal, which is about 310 MPa.