Phase transformation study during diffusion brazing of γ-TiAl intermetallic using amorphous Ni-based filler metals

The paper aims at understanding the microstructure evolution of the diffusion brazing of γ-TiAl intermetallic compound using two Ni-based filler metals, a ternary Ni-Si-B, and a quinary Ni-Cr-Fe-Si-B. It was found that the joint region comprised of two distinct zones: analogous reaction layers adjacent to the TiAl substrates and a solidified zone at the middle of the joint region. The reaction layers consisted of separate intermetallic phases regions including ternary and binary Ti-Ni-Al intermetallic compounds. The solidified zone mainly composed of the Al1-xNi3Six isostructural solid solution and athermally Ni-boride or Ni-Cr rich borides containing eutectic microstructures at the joint centerline. The maximum shear strength was 240 MPa, and obtained by using Ni-Cr-Fe-Si-B filler metal. Fracture of the joint with Ni-Cr-Fe-Si-B filler occurred in the reaction layer/solidified zone interface, but joint with Ni-Si-B filler was fractured at solidified zone.