One-step brazing process for CFC monoblock joints and mechanical testing

Abstract A new method of joining CFC to copper (CFC/Cu) and CFC/Cu to CuCrZr alloy (CFC/Cu/CuCrZr) was previously developed for the flat-type configuration. The joining technique foresees a single-step brazing process: the brazing of the three materials (CFC, Cu and CuCrZr) can be performed in a single heat treatment using the same non-active brazing alloy. The composite surface was previously modified by solid state reaction with chromium with the purpose of increasing the wettability of CFC by the brazing alloy. The feasibility of this process also for monoblock geometry is described in this work. The thermal fatigue resistance of the joined samples (quenching from 450 °C to RT; 50 cycles) was tested and the joints were characterized by apparent shear tests before and after thermal fatigue. The apparent shear strength of the CFC/Cu/CuCrZr joined samples was unaffected after these thermal fatigue tests.