Interface structure and mechanical properties of the brazed joint of TiC cermet and steel

A commercially available Ag-Cu braze alloy foil with Zn was used to join TiC cermet and steel. According to the experimental observations, the interface structure is (Cu, Ni)/Ag (s.s.) + Cu (s.s.)/(Cu, Ni)/(Cu, Ni) + (Fe, Ni) from TiC cermet to steel side. With increased brazing temperature or time, the amounts of (Cu, Ni) near the base metals/ Ag-31Cu-23Zn interface and (Cu, Ni) + (Fe, Ni) near the Ag-31Cu-23Zn/ steel interface increase, while the amount of Ag (s.s.) + Cu (s.s.) in the middle of the braze alloy decreases. The whole joining process consists of diffusion and solution among atoms of the braze alloy foil and base metals. The maximum shear strength is 120.7 MPa for the joint brazed at 850 °C for 10 min.