Experiments in Vacuum Brazing of Titanium

Preliminary results show promise for fabricating lightweight, strong structures.

An experimental study of vacuum brazing of titanium and of the effects of changes in brazing alloys and brazing process conditions has been performed. [As used here, “titanium” signifies both commercially pure titanium and an alloy nominally consisting of 90 weight percent of titanium, 6 weight percent of aluminum, and 4 weight percent of vanadium (commonly abbreviated “Ti-6Al-V”).] The knowledge gained in this study is intended to contribute to development of capabilities for fabricating titanium structures in circumstances in which welding — heretofore the typical method of joining titanium — cannot be performed because access is limited or adjacent nonmetallic components would be harmed. There is a particular need for such knowledge to enable fabrication of lightweight, durable titanium- based structures for armored vehicles. Examples of such structures include standard lightweight plate structures, titanium components encapsulating ceramics, and panels that comprise pyramidal frame cores sandwiched between face sheets.