Brazing is a crucial process that involves temperatures above 840°F (450°C) and can extend up to 2100°F (1150°C). This range depends on the materials and filler metals involved. The choice of brazing temperature is critical. It must be high enough to melt the filler metal but not so high as to damage the base materials or alter their properties.
Temperature for Melting Filler Metal
Brazing requires temperatures that are sufficient to melt the filler metal. This typically means the temperature must be at least 25°C (50°F) above the liquidus temperature of the filler metal. The liquidus temperature is the point at which the filler metal transitions from a solid to a liquid state. This ensures that the filler metal flows adequately to form a strong joint.
Avoiding Damage to Base Materials
The brazing temperature must be carefully selected to avoid overheating the base materials. Overheating could lead to warping, melting, or changes in the material's microstructure that could reduce its strength or corrosion resistance. For instance, when brazing austenitic stainless steel, temperatures within the sensitization range (500-850°C) should be avoided to prevent the precipitation of chromium carbides, which can reduce corrosion resistance.
Integration with Heat Treatment
In some cases, such as with martensitic stainless steel, the brazing temperature might need to match the quenching temperature to integrate the brazing process with the heat treatment process. Alternatively, the brazing temperature should be lower than the tempering temperature to prevent softening of the base material during brazing.
Cooling and Quenching
After the brazing process, the parts are allowed to cool slowly to a temperature where the filler metal solidifies, often around 980°C (1800°F). Rapid cooling by gas quenching can then be initiated, but only after ensuring the temperature is at least 25°C (50°F) below the solidus temperature of the braze alloy to prevent the molten alloy from being blown away from the joint during the quench.
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