Brazing compositions and uses thereof
Described herein are compositions for use in the brazing of metal substrates. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described herein.
1. A method of brazing two dissimilar materials, the method comprising:
a) applying a brazing composition to a first outer surface of a first structural component and a second outer surface of a second structural component, the first outer surface comprising steel and the second outer surface comprising aluminum, and the brazing composition comprising:
a glycol selected from one or more of hexylene glycol and propylene glycol;
a metal halide; and
from about 40 wt. % to about 65 wt. % of a hydrophobic carrier comprising an oil; and
b) heating the brazing composition to a brazing temperature thereby bonding together the first outer surface and the second outer surface.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the metal halide is selected from: potassium fluoride; aluminum fluoride; cesium fluoride; rubidium fluoride; lithium fluoride; sodium fluoride; calcium fluoride; potassium aluminum fluoride; cesium aluminum fluoride; lithium aluminum fluoride; and a combination of two or more thereof.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the brazing composition further comprises a filler metal.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the filler metal is selected from aluminum, silicon, zinc, an alloy of aluminum and zinc; an alloy of zinc, aluminum and silicon, an alloy of aluminum and silicon; and a combination of two or more thereof.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the filler metal comprises aluminum in an amount of at least 50 wt. % based on the total weight of the filler metal.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the brazing temperature of step b) ranges from about 550° C. to about 650° C.