Brazing Al2O3 to sintered Fe-Ni-Co alloys

Active metal brazing has been widely used to join ceramics to metals, as sound joints are usually achieved in a single step process without special equipment. However, residual stresses may be a potential problem especially upon joining ceramics to alloys with relatively high thermal expansion coefficients. This work investigates the brazing behavior of Alumina (Al₂O₃) to a sintered Fe-Ni-Co alloy, specially designed to match its coefficient of thermal expansion to that of the ceramic counterpart. The results indicate the presence of an interfacial zone whose microstructure depends on the filler alloy employed. A relationship was established between the microstructure of the interface and the flexural strength of the joints.