Effects of reactive air brazing parameters on the interfacial microstructure and shear strength of GDC-LSM/Crofer 22 APU joints

Abstract

In this paper, the joining characteristics of GDC-LSM ceramics with Crofer 22 APU metal alloys was investigated at different brazing temperatures and holding times by reactive air brazing. Brazing was performed using Ag-10 wt% CuO filler, at three different temperatures (1000, 1050, and 1100°C for 30 minutes) as well as for three different holding times (10, 30, and 60 minutes at 1050°C). The interfacial microstructures were examined by scanning electron microscopy and the joining strengths were assessed by measuring shear strengths at room temperature. The results show that with increasing brazing temperature and holding time, joint microstructure changed obviously and shear strength was decreased. Shear strength varied from a maximum of 100±6 MPa to a minimum of 18±5 MPa, depending on the brazing conditions. These changes were attributed to an increase in the thickness of the oxide layer at the filler/metal alloy interface.