Joining of C/C composite to TC4 using SiC particle-reinforced brazing alloy

Silicon carbide particles were used as reinforcement in the Ag-26.7Cu-4.6Ti (wt.%) brazing alloy for joining C/C composite to TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V, wt.%). The mechanical properties of the brazed joints were measured by shear strength testing. The effects of the volume percentage of SIC particles on the microstructures of the brazed joints were investigated. It is shown that the maximum shear strength of the joints is 29 MPa using 15 vol.% SiC in the brazing alloy which is greater than that with Ag-26.7Cu-4.6Ti brazing alloy alone (22 MPa). Ti is reacted with SiC particles, forming Ti-Si-C compound in the particle-reinforced brazing alloy. Due to this, more SiC particles in the brazing alloy, the thickness of TiC/TiCu reaction layer near C/C composite decreases. Moreover, SiC particles added to the brazing alloy can reduce the CTE of the brazing alloy which results in lower residual stress in the C/C composite-to-metal joint. Both of the above reasons lead to the increasing of the shear strength of the brazed joints. But excessive SiC particles added to the brazing alloy lead to pores which results in poor strength of the brazed joint. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.