Development of carbonaceous tin-based solder composite achieving unprecedented joint performance

Abstract Weight reduction and improved strength are two common engineering goals in the joining sector to benefit transport, aerospace, nuclear industries amongst others. Here, this paper, we show that suitable addition of carbon nanomaterials a tin-based solder material matrix (C-Solder® supplied by Cametics Ltd.) results two-fold soldered composite joints. Single-lap shear joint experiments were conducted on aluminium alloy (6082 T6) substrates. The soldering was reinforced different mix ratios black, graphene, single-walled nanotubes (SWCNT) benchmarked against pristine C-solder®. characterisation performed using Vickers micro-indentation, differential scanning calorimetry nano-indentation, whereas functional testing involved mechanical tests single-lap joints creep tests. hardness observed improve all cases except for 0.01 wt.% graphene solders, with 5% 4% improvements 0.05 black SWCNT respectively. maximum indentation noted categories 11% 8% ones. In general, nanomaterial solders promoted progressive cohesion failure as opposed instantaneous fully de-bonded joints, which suggests potential application high-performance structures where no service load induced adhesion is permissible (e.g. aerospace assemblies). novel innovation developed here will pave way achieving without carrying out extensive surface preparations.