Abstract:The brazing of 55% SiC_p/A356 (volume fraction) composites in air using Zn-Al alloy as a filler metal was investigated. During the brazing process, ultrasonic vibrations were applied to samples for bonding and a significant dissolution of the filler metal into the matrix alloy in the base materials occurred. As brazing temperatures were increased, the thickness of the partial melting layers in the base material increased. SiC particles in the partial melting layer of the base material were transferred into the liquid filler under ultrasonic action and a bond with homogeneously distributed reinforcements was obtained after solidification. The volume fraction of SiC particles in the bonds could be varied by changing the brazing temperature. The maximum SiC particle volume fraction of the bond material reached 37% at a brazing temperature of 500 ℃. The shear strength of the brazed bonds was improved at pressures up to 244 MPa (at 20 ℃) and increased by 133.8% (at 200 ℃) compared with the filler of the Zn-based alloy.

Key words: aluminum matrix composites; brazing; ultrasonic dissolution of brazing; composite bond