Interface Reactions Responsible for Run-Out in Active Brazing: Part 3

Abstract

This study examined the interface reaction between sessile drops of the Ag-xAl filler metals having x = 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 wt-% and KovarTM base material as an avenue to understand the run-out phenomenon observed in active filler metal braze joints. The brazing conditions were combinations of 965°C (1769°F) and 995°C (1823°F) temperatures and brazing times of 5 and 20 min. All brazing was performed in a vacuum of 10–7 Torr. Microanalysis confirmed that a reaction layer developed ahead of the filler metal to support spontaneous wetting and spreading activity. However, run-out was not observed with the sessile drops because the additional surface energy created by the sessile drop free surface constrained wetting and spreading. The value of z in the reaction layer composition, (Fe, Ni, Co)yAlz, increased with x of the Ag-xAl sessile drops for both brazing conditions. Generally, the values of z were lower for the more severe brazing conditions. Also, the reaction layer thickness increased with the Al concentration in the filler metal but did not increase with the severity of brazing conditions. These behaviors indicate that the interface reaction was controlled by the chemical potential rather than the rate kinetics of a thermally activated process. The determining metrics were filler metal composition (Ag-xAl) and brazing temperature. The findings of the present study provided several insights toward developing potential mitigation strategies to prevent run-out.