Microstructure analysis of graphite/Cu joints brazed with (Cu-50TiH2) + B composite filler

Joining of carbon materials to copper will benefit the fabrication of plasma facing components for fusion applications. Graphite/Cu joints have been prepared by brazing with (Cu-50TiH(2)) + B composite filler in a vacuum. The effect of boron content in the composite filler on the mechanical property and microstructure of brazed graphite/Cu joints has been investigated. The average shear strength of joints increases with boron content raising from 0 to 15 vol%. The maximum average shear strength of 19.8 MPa was obtained with boron content of 15 vol%. Then, the strength of joints decreases with boron content higher than 15 vol%. The microstructure analysis of joints brazed with (Cu-50TiH(2)) + 15 vol% B filler indicates that TiB whiskers have been in situ synthesized in the filler layer. The filler layer is mainly composed of Cu based solid solution and Ti-Cu intermetallic compounds with TiB whiskers distributed inside. The distribution of TiB whiskers in the filler layer could serve as reinforcements, contributing to the improvement of graphite/Cu joints. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.