Evolution of Microstructure in Brazed Joints of Austenitic-Martensitic Stainless Steel with Pure Silver Obtained with Ag-27Cu-5Sn Brazing Filler Material

Brazing of an austenitic-martensitic stainless steel (AMSS) with pure silver was carried out at 1053 K, 1073 K, and 1093 K (780 C, 800 C, and 820 C) with Ag-27Cu-5Sn (wt pct) as brazing filler material (BFM). Wettability of the liquid BFM over base AMSS surface was found to be poor. Application of nickel coating to the steel was observed to enhance the wettability and to enable the formation of a good bond between BFM and the steel. The mechanism responsible for enhanced metallurgical bonding of the BFM with AMSS in the presence of nickel coating was explained based on diffusional interactions and uphill diffusion of iron, chromium and nickel observed in the brazed microstructure. Good diffusion-assisted zone was observed to form on silver side at all three temperatures. Four phases were encountered within the joint including silver solid solution, copper solid solution, Cu3Sn intermetallic and Ni-Fe solid solution. The Cu3Sn intermetallic was present in small amounts in the joints brazed at 1053 K and 1073 K (780 C and 800 C). The joint formed at 1093 K (820 C) exhibited the absence of Cu3Sn, fewer defects and larger diffusion-assisted zone. Hardness of base AMSS was found to reduce during brazing due to austenite reversion and post-brazing sub-zero treatment for 2.5 hours was found suitable to recover the hardness.