Vacuum brazing of stainless steel depending on the surface preparation methodand temperature of the process

Abstract

This paper discusses issues related to optimising the technological parameters of the process of brazing gold in a vacuum furnace. An investigation of the brazing process was carried out for materials used in constructing components for aircraft engine fuel systems. The vacuum brazed material was AMS 5510 stainless steel (in the form of plates and pipes). AMS 4787 (BAu-4) was used as the brazing filler. In particular, the influence of the method of preparing the surface on solder spreading and the thickness of the diffusion zone were analysed. The best spreading of solder was obtained for nickel plated surfaces. When the sample surface was more rough or scratched, the effect of the spreading of solder was limited and the diffusion process of the solder into the base material became dominant. Moreover, the influence of the brazing temperature on microstructure changes and on interdiffusion of the AMS 5510 stainless steel/BAu-4 solder system was determined. It was observed that an increase in the brazing temperature modifies the morphology of the formed joint by forming a massive and rounded phase. Furthermore, an increase in the brazing temperature enhances the exchange of components.

Keywords

• vacuum brazing
• stainless steel
• surface preparation
• brazing temperature