Brazing is a liquid phase process, whereby molten filler metal (the braze) is drawn into the gap between closely adjacent surfaces by capillary attraction. In general, the melting point of the filler metal is above 450°C, but always below that of the parent material. To achieve a sound joint, the filler and parent materials should be metallurgically compatible and the design of the joint should incorporate a gap into which the braze filler metal will be drawn.
The Advanced Materials and Processes Department provide a professional knowledge-base in brazing. Work undertaken in this department has been key to the development of an accredited course in brazer training, a best practice guide for brazing and a centre for demonstrating brazing techniques.
A range of metals can be brazed, using a variety of heating techniques including: torch, induction, furnace and resistance. The process can be carried out under vacuum, inert gas or by using fluxes. TWI has a broad knowledge of brazing for a wide range of materials including: Aluminium, copper and nickel alloys, stainless steels, metal matrix composites and ceramics.
