Ultrasonic dissolution of brazing of 55% SiC sub(p)/A356 composites

• Published in: Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 746 - 750
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yang, Yan, Jiu-Chun, Chen, Xiao-Guang, Cui, Yan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2010
• Subjects: Aluminum base alloys; Bonding; Brazing; Brazing alloys; Dissolution; Melting; Particulate composites; Silicon carbide; Volume fraction
• ISSN: 1003-6326
• DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(09)60208-9

The brazing of 55% SiC sub(p)/A356 (volume fraction) composites in air using Zn-Al alloy as a filler metal was investigated. During the brazing process, ultrasonic vibrations were applied to samples for bonding and a significant dissolution of the filler metal into the matrix alloy in the base materials occurred. As brazing temperatures were increased, the thickness of the partial melting layers in the base material increased. SiC particles in the partial melting layer of the base material were transferred into the liquid filler under ultrasonic action and a bond with homogeneously distributed reinforcements was obtained after solidification. The volume fraction of SiC particles in the bonds could be varied by changing the brazing temperature. The maximum SiC particle volume fraction of the bond material reached 37% at a brazing temperature of 500 degree C. The shear strength of the brazed bonds was improved at pressures up to 244 MPa (at 20 degree C) and increased by 133.8% (at 200 degree C) compared with the filler of the Zn-based alloy.