Brazing compositions for ductile braze structures, and related processes and devices
This disclosure includes the description of a braze alloy composition. The braze composition contains nickel, about 5% by weight to about 25% by weight germanium; and about 1% by weight to about 4% by weight boron. The composition has an amorphous structure, and is free of silicon.
1. A braze alloy composition, comprising:
a combination of nickel and cobalt;
5% by weight to 25% by weight germanium; and
1% by weight to 4% by weight boron;
wherein the composition has an amorphous structure, and is free of silicon.
2. The braze alloy composition of claim 1 , further comprising chromium, at a level of 1% by weight to 40% by weight.
3. The braze alloy composition of claim 1 , having a composition free of active metals.
4. The braze alloy composition of claim 1 , free of palladium, gold, and aluminum.
5. The braze alloy composition of claim 1 , comprising at least 20% by weight nickel.
6. The braze alloy composition of claim 5 , comprising 60% to 90% by weight nickel.
7. The braze alloy composition of claim 1 , wherein the level of germanium is 10% by weight to 18% by weight.
8. The braze alloy composition of claim 1 , wherein the level of boron is 1.5% by weight to 3.5% by weight.
9. The braze alloy composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least one refractory element selected from molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, and niobium.
10. The braze alloy composition of claim 9 , containing 1% by weight to 10% by weight (total) of the refractory elements.
11. A braze joint formed of the composition of claim 1 , having a microstructure that comprises a gamma nickel phase and a gamma prime (gamma′) Ni 3 Ge phase, wherein the Ni 3 Ge component is a precipitate present at levels between 1% by volume and 75% by volume.
12. A braze joint formed of the composition of claim 1 , joining a metallized ceramic component to a metal component.
13. The braze joint of claim 12 , wherein the metal for the metal component comprises nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, nickel-cobalt ferrous alloys, mild steel, stainless steel, and various alloys of any of the foregoing.
14. The braze joint of claim 13 , wherein the ceramic and metal components are structures joined together in a medical device.
15. The braze joint of claim 12 , wherein the ceramic and metal components structures joined together in a turbine engine.
16. The braze joint of claim 12 , wherein the ceramic and metal components are structures joined together in a drilling, pumping or motor device for oil or gas exploration, or in a spectroscopic device.
17. The braze joint of claim 12 , wherein the ceramic and metal components each comprise at least one thermal battery structure selected from the group consisting of electrode compartments; sealing collar structures, sealing ring structures, and electrical current collectors.
18. The braze joint of claim 17 , wherein the thermal battery structure is a portion of a sodium-based thermal battery.
19. A braze joint formed of the composition of claim 1 , joining a metallized ceramic component to at least one other metallized ceramic component.
20. A braze joint of claim 19 , wherein each ceramic component independent comprises zirconia or a zirconia-based material; alumina; aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, porcelain, titanium carbide, silica, glass, ceramic matrix composites (CMC's), magnesium aluminate spinel, magnesium oxide, silicon nitride, an “MAX” phase material of the formula M n+1 AX n , where N is 1-3, M is an early transition metal, A is a group A element, and X is carbon or nitrogen; ceramic of the formula MX y , wherein M is a transitional metal; and X is carbon, boron, or nitrogen alpha-alumina structure; and alloys of any of the foregoing.