What is Brazing Alloy
A brazing alloy is a filler metal used in the process of brazing. Brazing is a high-temperature joining method similar to soldering, but it involves melting a filler metal at a temperature above 450°C. Brazing alloy facilitates the bonding of metal components by melting at a temperature lower than that of the base materials being joined.
Brazing alloys are available in various compositions and are often alloyed with other elements to achieve specific properties and performance characteristics. Common filler metals used in brazing include aluminum, cobalt, copper, gold, nickel, and silver. The selection of a brazing alloy depends on factors such as the compatibility with the base materials and the desired strength, conductivity, corrosion resistance, and other properties of the joint.
The brazing process involves heating the filler metal slightly above its melting point, typically using methods such as torch brazing, vacuum brazing, furnace brazing, or induction brazing. To ensure a clean and reliable joint, the filler metal is protected by a suitable atmosphere, often provided by a flux. The flux not only helps to clean the metal surfaces but also removes oxides and impurities from the base materials.
Brazing alloys find extensive use in various industries due to their flexibility and the high integrity of the joints they produce. They can be applied to a range of materials, including aluminum, copper, gold, nickel, silver, and steel. The versatility of brazing makes it suitable for both critical and non-critical applications, providing strong and durable connections between metal components.
Questions fréquemment posées
What Is a Brazing Alloy
Brazing alloys can be described as a type of metallic adhesive that can withstand high temperatures. These alloys, which are typically composed of gold, nickel, and copper, are commonly used to join CMC materials to cobalt or nickel-based super-alloys.
What Is the Purpose of Brazing
Brazing serves the purpose of joining metal parts together and can be utilized with various materials such as brass, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc-coated steel, and ceramics. Laser brazing is particularly advantageous in situations where the joining of dissimilar metals is necessary.
What Is Solder and Brazing Alloys
If the temperature at which the filler metal melts is below 450°C (842°F), the process of joining metals is known as soldering. On the other hand, if the filler metal melts at a temperature above 450°C (842°F), the process is referred to as brazing (Ref. (2)).
What Is Difference Between Brazing and Soldering
The sole distinction between soldering and brazing lies in the temperature range at which each process is carried out. Soldering is performed at temperatures below 840°F (450°C), while brazing is conducted at temperatures exceeding 840°F (450°C).
What Material Is Used for Brazing
Copper, nickel, and silver are commonly used as base metals for brazing alloys, while aluminum and gold have specific applications in brazing. The table provided below presents a comparison of key characteristics and benefits of the frequently utilized base metals. It is worth noting that various alloy compositions are available for each base metal.
What Is Brazing Material Made From
Base materials commonly used for brazing include aluminium, copper, gold, nickel, silver, and steel. The primary filler metals utilized in brazing are aluminium, cobalt, copper, gold, nickel, or silver. These primary filler metals are frequently combined with other elements to achieve desired properties and enhance performance.