5 Main Consideration For Brazing Tungsten Carbide
The use of the brazing tungsten carbide technology in the forming of the joints is one of the biggest innovations. The technique enables the production of powerful joints that can withstand rough conditions. There are things one should consider for proper brazing tungsten carbide.
In this guide, we will look at some of the crucial considerations for brazing tungsten carbide. Check out the following steps:
- Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)
The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is the measure of the extent that a material can expand upon heating. This is a very important factor when it comes to forming joints between two metals. For the brazing tungsten carbide, the main materials that are used are carbide and steel. Both have different CTE. The carbide has the biggest residual stress, and this could cause tensile stress on the carbide during cooling. The recommended cure for this is using a machined pocket for the carbide.
- Braze Joint Design
The design of the braze joint is another crucial factor to consider for brazing tungsten carbide. The main factor that comes with the joint design is joint clearing. The ideal clearance can vary depending on the method used. For the typical brazing process that makes use of flux, the best joint clearance should be 0.05-0.13mm. But for the furnace application where the flux is not used, the best joint clearance should be around 0.00 – 0.05mm.
- Carbide Composition
The other important thing to put into consideration is the carbide composition. Carbide is added cobalt to make it stronger and harder. But the amount of cobalt in carbide can affect wettability, which might compromise the joint’s quality. The best cobalt content should be above 25%. The higher the cobalt content, the better is the wettability and the stronger is the produced joint.
- Filler Metal
The choice of the filler metal is very crucial when it comes to brazing tungsten carbide. The higher the quality of the filler metal, the tougher is the formed joint. The market has a range of filler metals and ensures you are buying the best quality.
- Heating
The heating process is very crucial, as it will determine the quality of materials. Make sure that you have selected the best for the quality you are looking for. Some of the available heating options for brazing tungsten carbide include torch brazen, induction brazing, and furnace brazing. Go for the most efficient heating method.