Inhibition of intermetallic formation during diffusion bonding of high-carbon steel

Abstract

Diffusion bonding of high-carbon steel was carried out in vacuum brazing furnace at temperature 900– 1,050 °C for 0.5 h under uniaxial load using Ni foil interlayer. Microstructure of assemblies was studied along with effect of diffusion of chemical species in reaction zone and mechanical properties. Microstructure of substrate was changed from martensite to austenite at bonding temperature and subsequently to ferrite–pearlite during cooling to ambient temperature. Diffusion zone did not exhibit formation of any intermetallic compounds. Bond strength was governed by degree of solid solution hardening and contact area of mating surfaces depending on joining parameters. In this respect, maximum ultimate strength of ~532 MPa was obtained along with shear strength of ~792 MPa for the joint processed at 1,050 °C, which was higher than literature reports on martensitic steel.