Patent ID: 7407715

Claim:
An article produced by a method of forming a brazed joint between stainless steel components comprising the steps of: (a) producing at least two stainless steel components of a martensitic or precipitation hardening composition and having a selected configuration; (b) providing a brazing filler metal alloy comprising 80%-85% by weight Au and 15%-20% by weight Ni; (c) placing the brazing filler metal alloy in or adjacent to a gap formed between the at least two stainless steel components to be joined; (d) heating said stainless steel components and said brazing alloy in a controlled manner from an ambient temperature to a liquidus temperature of said brazing alloy to produce a brazed assembly; (e) cooling said brazed assembly in a controlled manner from said liquidus temperature to a temperature of 1200° F.-1400° F. where said brazing alloy has achieved a desired strength level of at least 25 Ksi; and (f) quenching said cooled, brazed assembly of step (e) to a temperature of less than 400° F.