Patent ID: 7658315
Filing Date: 2010-02-09
Classification: B23K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process of brazing first and second faying surfaces of first and second components, respectively, formed of superalloys containing a base metal and at least one metal capable of forming an oxide on the first and second faying surfaces if the first and second components are exposed to a brazing temperature, the process comprising the steps of: forming a first braze tape by combining a binder and a powder of a first braze tape alloy containing the base metal of the superalloys and a melting point suppressant so as to have solidus and liquidus temperatures; applying at least the first braze tape to at least the first faying surface of the first component, the first braze tape substantially covering the first faying surface; heating the first braze tape to a temperature above the solidus temperature of the first braze tape alloy but below the liquidus temperature of the first braze tape alloy, the heating step burning off the binder, sintering the powder of the first braze tape alloy, and at least partially diffusing the first braze tape alloy into the first faying surface to form thereon a first bonded braze tape alloy, the first bonded braze tape alloy inhibiting oxidation of the first faying surface during the bonding step; assembling the first and second components and applying a braze alloy so that the first bonded braze tape alloy is between the first and second faying surfaces and the braze alloy is present at an interface defined between the first braze tape and the second faying surface; and brazing the first and second components together by heating the braze alloy to at least the liquidus temperature of the first braze tape alloy and to the brazing temperature for a duration sufficient to melt the braze alloy and the first braze tape alloy and metallurgically bond the first faying surface to the second faying surface, the first bonded braze tape alloy inhibiting oxidation of the first faying surface during the brazing step.