Abstract
The liquid phase bonding, in air, of unreinforced and fibre reinforced aluminium using copper interlayers has been investigated. Bond strengths have been measured and microstructures characterised using electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. The diffusion behaviour and interphase reactions, which depend on the bonding conditions, are discussed, and a mechanism for the formation of a liquid phase bond is proposed. For unreinforced aluminium a bonded area of ∼100% was achieved at 550°C by applying a pressure of 10 MPa for 30 min to the joint while using a 10 μm thick copper interlayer. With the composite it was necessary to use a higher bonding pressure (20 MPa) in order to limit oxidation of the copper and maximise the bonded area (to ∼80%).
MST/1730
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