Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Mckown, R. D..
Two new alloys for brazing at 1,760 degrees to 1,850 degrees F are stronger and have better gap-filling capability. Alloys have lower gold content than other gold brazes for their temperature range and therefore are far less expensive. They are produced in wire, foil, and powder and are excellent for brazing at temperatures where no suitable alloys existed--especially for step brazing copper.
Inexpensive inert-atmosphere shielding protects vacuum brazing-furnace components that are likely to spring leak. Pipefittings, gages, and valves are encased in transparent plastic shroud inflated with argon. If leak develops, harmless argon will enter vacuum chamber, making it possible to finish ongoing brazing or heat treatment before shutting down for repair.
Auxiliary furnace tool forces part to match length of mating part during brazing. As brazed assembly cools, jack contracts faster and disengages from fitting studs.
Brazing furnace utilizing partial-vacuum technique reduces tooling requirements and produces better bond. Benefit in that partial vacuum helps to dissociate metal oxides that inhibit metal flow and eliminates heavy tooling required to hold parts together during brazing.
Alloys are ductile and are not subject to hydrogen or cryogenic embrittlement. During brazing operation, alloys demonstrate excellent wetting, flow and gap-filling capacities, and resist oxidation and salt-spray corrosion. Alloys are producible as foils, tape, wire, and powder. They may be used to join stainless steels and nickel and cobalt high-temperature alloys.