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Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 1:30 PM

Brazing Shape Memory Alloy to a Titanium-Based Alloy for Structural Aerospace Components

D. P. Routledge, D. Clark, M. Strangwood, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

NiTi-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) are being considered for application in a number of aerospace structures. Dissimilar joints between SMA and Ti-based alloys can cause inter-diffusion and the formation of NiTi2 at the bondline. This brittle intermetallic results in poor joint strength and formation of NiTi2 is accelerated if the joining process involves fusion of the substrates.  This study has investigated the use of brazing alloys (based on silver-copper) to bond simultaneously to both parent metals and at the same time provide a barrier to diffusion between the parent metals, thereby reducing the amount of brittle intermetallic phase produced in the joint. A matrix of braze alloys along with processing conditions (brazing temperature, time and pressure) has been investigated for joining SMA to Ti based alloy in terms of microstructural development across the bondline; the resulting shear strengths and failure mechanisms. The relationships determined will be discussed in this paper.