Journal of Materials Science, Vol.30, No.23, 5915-5922, 1995
The Wetting of Silicon-Nitride by Chromium-Containing Alloys
The wetting of ceramic materials by metallic melts is the most important characteristic of brazing alloys. The effect of chromium additions to copper-base alloys on the wetting of silicon nitride was investigated. Wetting experiments were carried out on Si3N4 using liquid Cu-Cr, Cu-Ni-Cr, Cu-Si-Cr and Cu-Ni-Si-Cr alloys. The addition of chromium to liquid copper up to its solubility limit promoted wetting on Si3N4. Improved wetting with a higher chromium content was achieved by the addition of nickel to the Cu-Cr alloys. The formation of an interfacial reaction layer, which is detrimental for brazing ceramics, was suppressed by the addition of silicon to the chromium-containing brazing alloys.