Effects of laser-textured surface pattern on the wetting behavior and composition optimization of brazing filler: experimental study and numerical simulation

Abstract

To reduce interface brittle compounds of brazed joints, laser-textured surface pattern was used instead of excessive active element to enhance the wetting behavior of brazing filler on Ti3SiC2 ceramic substrate. The cylindrical surface pattern was designed by theoretical calculation and examined by numerical simulation. The numerical simulation results showed that the cylindrical surface pattern can not only effectively reduce the wetting angle on the substrate surface, but also greatly accelerate the spreading process of brazing filler. The results of wetting experiment showed that the wettability of Ag–Cu–2Ti (wt. %) brazing filler on Ti3SiC2 with cylindrical surface pattern sufficiently increased compared with that on smooth surface, which were consistent with the theoretical calculation and numerical simulation results. The titanium content in Ag–Cu–Ti that suitable for the brazing of Ti3SiC2 even could be reduced from 4.5 to 2.0 wt. %. The novel method provides a feasible route for promoting the wetting behavior and achieving composition optimization of brazing filler.