Understanding Vacuum Brazing Aluminum: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Vacuum Aluminum Brazing (VAB) is a process used to perform fluxless brazing of Aluminum components in a high vacuum environment. This process requires tight control of temperature uniformity, low vacuum leak rates, and high repeatability.Get more news about
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The Process
In vacuum aluminum brazing, pressure is applied to a metal part to break down its oxide layer. The vacuum pumps evacuate the furnace, reducing the oxygen level in the brazing chamber, thus inhibiting oxide formation. Magnesium is used as a getter in vacuum aluminum brazing to enhance the purity of the braze environment and facilitate oxide removal.
Design Guidelines
The mating surfaces to be vacuum aluminum brazed must be flat. Milled or turned surfaces with a good surface finish work best. It is very important that the components are properly prepared for excellent capillary action. Machining can impart residual stresses into the Aluminum components, which will be released during the thermal cycle of the braze run.
Advantages of Vacuum Aluminum Brazing
VAB offers some advantages not seen in other processes. It provides a clean joint without the need for additional finishing and cleaning4. Assemblies with large surface areas and numerous joints can be successfully brazed in vacuum. It creates a continuous hermetically sealed bond4. It is ideal for corrosion or oxide-sensitive materials, because corrosive flux is eliminated.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many details and challenges to the vacuum brazing of aluminum. It is recommended to inquire about full turnkey solutions that handle the entire brazing process from design to testing, hence lowering overall risk1. Always consult a professional if you’re unsure about performing these tricks yourself.
