Infrared brazing of high-strength titanium alloys by Ti-15Cu-15Ni and Ti-15Cu-25Ni filler foils

Microstructures and fracture behaviors of infrared heated, vacuum brazed Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-15-3 alloys using two Ti-Cu-Ni braze fillers have been characterized to establish the effects of brazing process parameter and chemical composition on the strength of brazed joints. The brazed joint initially contains two prominent phases; a Ti alloy matrix alloyed with V, Cr, Ni, Cu and Al and a Cu-Ni-rich Ti phase. Brazing temperature and soak time control the amount of Cu-Ni-rich Ti phase in the brazed joints. The fracture mode changes from brittle cleavage to quasi-cleavage to ductile dimple as the amount of Cu-Ni-rich Ti phase is reduced in the brazed joint. Both brazing temperature and soak time are critical to eliminate the Cu-Ni-rich Ti phase for optimal shear strength and ductile fracture of brazed joints. A post-brazing annealing at lower temperature is also shown to be an effective way to homogenize the microstructure of brazed joint for improved joint strength. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.