Interface Reactions Responsible for Run-Out in Active Brazing: Part 4

Abstract

This study examined the interface reaction between Ag-xAl filler metals h˜ving x = 0.2, 0.5, or 1.0 wt-% and Kovar™ base materials. The present investigation used the braze joint test sample configuration. The brazing conditions were 965°C (1769°F), 5 min; 995°C (1823°F), 20 min, and a vacuum of 10–7 Torr. Run-out was absent from all test samples. Combining these results with those of the Part 2 study that used high-Al, Ag-xAl filler metals (x = 2.0, 5.0, and 10 wt-%) established these conditions for run-out: Ag-xAl filler metals having x ≥ 2.0 wt-% Al, which result in reaction layer compositions, and (Fe, Ni, Co)yAlz, having z ≥ 26 at.-% Al. The limited occurrences of run-out lobes resulted from the surface tension effect that quickly reduced the driving force for additional run-out events. The interface reactions were controlled by a driving force that was an expressed function of filler metal composition (Ag-xAl) and brazing temperature, as opposed to simply thermally activated rate kinetics. The differences of reaction layer composition and thickness confirmed that the interface reactions differed between the braze joint and sessile drop configurations. Collectively, the findings from the Parts 1–4 investigations concluded that the most-effective means to mitigate run-out is to place a barrier coating on the Kovar base material that will prevent formation of the (Fe, Ni, Co)yAlz reaction layer.