Infrared brazing of Ti-6Al-4V and 17-4 PH stainless steel with a nickel barrier layer

Infrared brazing of Ti-6Al-4V and 17-4 PH stainless steel using the BAg-8 filler metal was performed in this study. A nickel barrier layer 10 μm thick was introduced on the 17-4 PH stainless steel before infrared brazing. For the specimen that was infrared brazed at 800 °C and 850 °C for less than 300 seconds, the Ni layer served as an effective barrier layer to prevent the formation of Ti-Fe intermetallics. Experimental results show that the average shear strength of the joint can be greatly improved for the specimen by Ni plating. Comparing the specimens with and without electroless-plated Ni film, the former has no Ti-Fe intermetallic compound, but interfacial CuNiTi and NiPTi phases are observed in the latter. The fractured location of the joint after the shear test is changed from the interfacial TiFe (without Ni plating) into the TiCu reaction layer (with Ni plating). The plated Ni layer is consumed for the specimen that was infrared brazed at 880 °C for 300 seconds, and its bonding strength is impaired. Consequently, a lower brazing temperature and/or time are still preferred even though a plated Ni barrier layer is applied.