Brazing Inconel 625 Using the Copper Foil

Brazing Inconel 625 (IN-625) using the copper foil has been investigated in this research. The brazed joint is composed of nanosized CrNi3 precipitates and Cr/Mo/Nb/Ni quaternary compound in the Cu/Ni-rich matrix. The copper filler 50 mu m in thickness is enough for the joint filling. However, the application of Cu foil 100 mu m in thickness has little effect on the shear strength of the brazed joint. The specimen brazed at 1433 K (1160 A degrees C) for 1800 seconds demonstrates the best shear strength of 470 MPa, and its fractograph is dominated by ductile dimple fracture with sliding marks. Decreasing the brazing temperature slightly decreases the shear strength of the brazed joint due to the presence of a few isolated solidification shrinkage voids smaller than 15 mu m. Increasing the brazing temperature, especially for the specimen brazed at 1473 K (1200 A degrees C), significantly deteriorates the shear strength of the joint below 260 MPa because of coalescence of isothermal solidification shrinkage voids in the joint. The Cu foil demonstrates potential in brazing IN-625 for industrial application.