Brazing can be used with a variety of metals, including stainless steel, aluminum, and other alloys. The choice of filler metal depends on the base material and the specific requirements of the application.
For stainless steel, commonly used filler metals include tin-lead solder, silver-based filler metals, copper-based filler metals, manganese-based filler metals, nickel-based filler metals, and precious metal filler metals. Tin-lead solder is typically used for soft brazing of stainless steel, with a higher tin content improving wetting ability on stainless steel surfaces. However, due to its low joint strength, it is only suitable for parts with low load-bearing requirements.
When selecting a braze alloy for stainless steel, factors such as the method of introducing the alloy into the joint and its commercial form are important. Ductile metals like copper, silver, and gold are available in various forms such as wire, shim, sheet, and powder, which can be pre-placed in the joint during assembly. Nickel-based alloys, being brittle, are usually supplied as powder and can be mixed with binders to form a paste for application over the joint.
For aluminum, different series of alloys have varying suitability for brazing. Series 1xxx (99% Al) and Series 3xxx (Al-Mn) are generally brazable, but their mechanical properties may be compromised during the brazing process. Series 5xxx (Al-Mg) with low magnesium content are also brazable. However, precipitation-hardened alloys such as those in Series 2xxx (Al-Cu) and 7xxx (Al-Zn-Mg) are generally not brazable due to their low melting points, although some exceptions exist under specific conditions.
In furnace brazing, materials are typically cleaned thoroughly to remove contaminants, and the most widely used fillers are based on silver, copper, nickel, and gold. Vacuum brazing is particularly advantageous as it uses high-purity brazing alloys in the form of pastes, which are environmentally safe and do not contaminate the substrate or filler metal during the process.
Overall, the selection of metals for brazing depends on the specific alloy, the application requirements, and the method of brazing employed. Proper selection and preparation of both the base material and the filler metal are crucial for achieving sound brazed joints.
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