DISSIMILAR VACUUM BRAZING OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED 17-4PH STAINLESS STEEL TO CONVENTIONAL 304 AND 17-4 STAINLESS STEEL BY BNI-2 BRAZING FILLER MATERIAL

Vacuum brazing process of 17-4PH stainless steel, which was manufactured using additive manufacturing, as well as conventional AISI304 and 17-4PH stainless steel alloys was investigated. The brazing process was conducted at 1050°C for 20 minutes under 10-6 Torr, using BNi-2 filler material. Various aspects of the vacuum brazed parts were analyzed, including their microstructure, wetting behavior and mechanical strength. To evaluate the wetting behavior, the contact angle and wetted area were measured using optical microscopy. The microstructures were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy techniques. Additionally, tensile testing was performed on the joints to assess the influence of surface roughness and brazing of different materials on the strength of the brazed parts.