Diffusion brazing of Ti–6Al–4V and austenitic stainless steel using silver-based interlayer

In the present study, vacuum brazing was applied to join Ti–6Al–4V and stainless steel using AgCuZn filler metal. The bonds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Mechanical strengths of the joints were evaluated by the shear test and microhardness showed that shear strength decreased with increasing the brazing temperature and time. The results showed that the wettability of the filler alloy was increased by enhancing the wetting test temperature. It was shown that by increasing the brazing temperature various intermetallic compounds were formed in the bond area. These intermetallic compounds were mainly a combination of CuTi and Fe–Cu–Ti. The shear test results verified the influence of the bonding temperature on the strength of the joints based on the formation of different intermetallics in the bond zone. The fracture analysis also revealed different fracture footpath and morphology for the different brazing temperatures.