The Quality of Brazed Ceramic and Cemented Carbide Joints - A Mechanical and Metallurgical Assessment

Abstract

The availability of adequate joining technologies is of major importance in order to exploit the full potential of ceramic materials. The same is true for joints between cemented carbides and their counterparts. Such joints are not easy to manufacture due to wetting and bonding problems as well as induced thermal stresses. Currently, active brazing is a potential approach for fabricating such joints. The filler alloy contains reactive agents such as Titanium or Hafnium etc. that interact by forming wettable reaction layers on the ceramic surface. It is self-evident that they function very well on cemented carbides as well. The paper describes potential wetting and bonding reactions from a metallurgical point of view. Ceramics, superabrasive and cemented carbides are investigated with respect to interfacial reactions. The quality of the reaction products is of crucial importance regarding the mechanical performance of the joints, as their immanent brittleness can lead to a significant weakening. Apart from metallurgical assessments, mechanical tests are conducted in order to deliver data for their integration in hybrid structures. FE methods can be applied to assess the stress situation in the final joint. Thus it is possible to adjust the design accordingly.