Application of Titanium Ion Bombardment As An Active Heating Source for Vacuum Brazing

A new method was developed and successfully implemented for vacuum brazing CP titanium, Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and sintered chromium using ion bombardment in an arc plasma, with application of silver-based BAg-7, titanium-based TiBraze375, and aluminum-based BAlSi-4 filler metals. The method is characterized by simple surface preparation and process control, for brazing both small and relatively massive parts. The brazing procedure can be easily adjusted depending on the mass and shape of parts to be joined.  There is rapid cooling upon completion of the brazing due to processing in a cold chamber, resulting in the formation of uniform, fine-grained microstructure of the joint metal. There is only insignificant formation of brittle intermetallics at the interface with titanium, and absence of intermetallics at the interface with chromium. The new method is suitable for the manufacture of parts of electronic devices, compressor blades, PVD cathodes, and structures of a broad range of industrial applications.