Vacuum brazing is a metal joining process that uses a filler metal in a vacuum chamber to join two pieces of base metal. The filler metal flows between the two pieces of metal through capillary action and solidifies to act as an adhesive. The process produces a stronger bond than traditional brazing and eliminates the need for flux. The controlled temperature inside the vacuum brazing furnace allows for heat treating and multiple joints to be made at once.
Vacuum brazing is a metal joining process used to join two pieces of base metal using a filler metal in a special vacuum chamber. Brazing is similar to the welding process, but requires higher temperatures to melt the filler metal. In the brazing process, heated liquid filler metal flows between the two pieces of metal to be joined. This flow of molten metal is called capillary action, which means that the metal flows through the open channel created by the small gap between the two pieces of base metal. The filler metal is then cooled, causing it to solidify and act as an adhesive between the two pieces of metal.
During the vacuum brazing process, the filler metal must have a lower melting point than the base metals that are to be joined. The base metals are not melted during the brazing process, but instead are joined by the filler metal. Although the process results in a weaker bond than the traditional welding process, which melts the base metals, vacuum brazing produces a stronger bond than traditional brazing.
This metal joining process differs from traditional brazing because the entire process takes place in a type of vacuum chamber commonly called a vacuum brazing furnace. Using a vacuum chamber to create welds results in a cleaner weld with a stronger bond. Corrosion does not form within the vacuum, so the process requires no flux to protect the metal.
Products assembled by vacuum brazing leave the furnace looking clean and shiny because the low oxygen levels in the vacuum brazing furnace prevent oxidation and corrosion. Vacuum brazing is commonly used for metals that may respond poorly to flux or gases in the atmosphere outside the vacuum chamber. These metals include stainless steel, carbon steel and other alloys.
In addition to eliminating the need for flux, this process has several additional benefits. Using a vacuum chamber allows for careful control of the temperature inside the chamber. This allows for heat treating or aging of the metal design during the vacuum brazing process, thereby reducing the amount of time required to complete the design. The controlled temperature inside the vacuum brazing furnace heats all of the metal in the chamber to brazing temperature, so multiple joints can be made at once. This reduces the stress placed on the joint and base metals by thermal expansion and contraction, as the entire design is heated and cooled at the same rate.
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