Arc Brazing of Aluminium, Aluminium Matrix Composites and Stainless Steel in Dissimilar Joints

Abstract

The publication describes the approaches and results of the investigation of arc brazing processes to produce dissimilar joints of particle reinforced aluminium matrix composites (AMC) to aluminium alloys and steels. Arc brazing allows for low thermal energy input to the joint parts, and is hence suitable to be applied to AMC. In addition, a braze filler B-Al40Ag40Cu20 alloyed with Si with a liquidus temperature of below 500 °C is selected to further reduce the thermal energy input during joining. The microstructures of the joining zones were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), as well as their hardness profile characterised and discussed. Joint strengths were measured by tensile shear tests, and resulting areas of fracture were discussed in accordance to the joints’ microstructures and gained bond strength values.

Keywords

• arc brazing
• brazing fillers
• microstructure
• wettability
• aluminium matrix composite
• AMC
• stainless steel
• aluminium
• joining