Simulation methods for joining of tools with complex geometries by brazing

Abstract

This study presents a finite element modeling (FE) of the temperature field and residual stress during high temperature brazing process of tool components with cooling channels and asymmetric geometry. The thermo-mechanical analysis was developed by using the commercial software Ansys 12 [1]. The thermal and mechanical material properties are introduced as temperature dependent functions, due to the material phase changes (austenite-martensite) occurring in the steel X20Cr13 during brazing. The results indicate that the model can effectively predict the stress and the temperature distribution during the brazing process. The experimental results can be implemented in a FEsimulation in order to provide recommendations for the optimization of the process and the control of residual stresses in the joint.