Microstructural study of Ti/3YSZ interface in NI 105/Ni/Nb/Ti/3YSZ diffusion bonding

In this research, the diffusion bonding of the stabilized zirconia ceramic and Nimonic 105 superalloy using Ti/Nb/Ni multi-interlayer was carried out. Joint was performed using the plasma spark technique in a vacuum atmosphere and at different temperatures and times. The microstructure of the different joint zones was studied using optical and FESEM microscopes equipped with an EDS analyzer. The results showed that the critical region is Ti/3YSZ interface and in all conditions diffusion bonding in Ti/Nb, Nb/Ni, and Ni/NI 105 interfaces were done. Microstructural observations showed that in the Ti/3YSZ interface at all temperature and time conditions, the connection of two separate regions including Ti3O and (Zr, Ti)2O was formed due to the difference in the diffusion depth of Ti, Zr, and O elements and with increasing temperature and time, the thickness of these regions increased. Microstructural studies showed that the bond at 900 ℃  and 30 minutes did not have any cracks and discontinuities and due to the better diffusion of atoms, a suitable reaction layer was formed. Microhardness observations and EDS analyses confirmed that the Ti3O reaction layer is the weakest zine.