Evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties on dissimilar transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding of GTD-111 and IN-718 by BNi-9 (AWS A5.8/A5.8M) interlayer

Dissimilar transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding of GTD-111 and IN-718 nickel-based superalloys was investigated using BNi-9 (AWS A5.8/A5.8M) as an interlayer. The effect of the bonding time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the TLP-bonded specimens was studied at 1100 degrees C using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and micro-hardness and shear strength analyses. Joint microstructural studies revealed that at the bonding times shorter than 75 min, nickel- and chromium-rich borides were formed with the joint centerline. The volume fraction of intermetallic compounds decreased with the increase of the bonding time and the diffusion of boron element whereby the isothermal solidification eventually completed after 75 min. Micro-hardness investigations along the bonding joint showed that the hardness of an isothermal solidification zone (ISZ) decreased with the completion of isothermal solidification. The hardest zone in the joint structure belonged to the athermal solidification zone (ASZ). The shear strength test results showed that incrementing the bonding time increased the shear strength where the shear strength value at 1 min/1100 degrees C (320 MPa) raised to 590 MPa after the completion of isothermal solidification.