Application of Ni and Cu nanoparticles in transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding of Ti-6Al-4V and Mg-AZ31 alloys

The transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding of Ti-6Al-4V alloy to a Mg-AZ31 alloy was performed using an electrodeposited Ni coating containing a dispersion of Ni and Cu nanoparticles. Bond formation was attributed to two mechanisms; first, solid-state diffusion of Ni and Mg, followed by liquid eutectic formation at the Mg-AZ31 interface. Second, the solid-state diffusion of Ni and Ti at the Ti-6Al-4V interface resulted in a metallurgical joint. The joint interface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Microhardness and shear strength tests were used to investigate the mechanical properties of the bonds. The use of Cu nanoparticles as a dispersion produced the maximum joint shear strength of 69 MPa. This shear strength value corresponded to a 15 % enhancement in joint strength compared to TLP bonds made without the use of nanoparticles dispersion.