Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
In the novel brazing technique, the aluminum components in the joint assembly are coated with a powder mix consisting of elemental Si and a potassium fluoroaluminate flux. During brazing at −600°C in nitrogen gas, the flux melts and removes the native Al2O3 surface film from the coated aluminum components. This action allows the silicon to diffuse into the aluminum to generate in-situ a layer of Al-Si filler metal of eutectic composition.The liquid metal then flows into thejoint and yields a metallurgical bond on cooling.
This brazing technique maybe exploited with aluminum using intermediary elements other than Si. The technique may also be used for joining other metals.