Molten aluminum equilibrium membrane formed during controlled atmosphere brazing

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Abstract

Formation of a solidified joint between metallic and/or non-metallic materials is a critical phase of a manufacturing process called brazing. This paper provides an insight into an important aspect of this complex joint formation process for a system of aluminum alloys AA4343-AA3003 plus KF-AlF3 as a flux. More specifically, a proof of the validity of the following hypothesis is given: the topology of the solidified brazed aluminum alloy joint can efficiently be described by an equilibrium membrane of the liquid alloy at the onset of solidification. A controlled atmosphere aluminum brazing process was considered. An experimental procedure is performed with ultra-pure nitrogen. Numerical results, based on a finite element discretization of a 2-D membrane profile, were obtained utilizing the minimum potential energy principle. An excellent agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental data unequivocally proves the validity of the introduced hypothesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)229-241
Number of pages13
JournalInternational Journal of Engineering Science
Volume39
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2001

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Discussions with Prof. N. Nigro of Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are gratefully acknowledged. The support is provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF Grant DMI-9908319, monitored by Dr. Delcie Durham) and the Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Systems, College of Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • General Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

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