Joining Aluminum to Stainless Steel for Space Vehicle Applications

The high performance, efficiency, and integrity demanded in advanced aerospace materials applications frequently require the matallurgical union of aluminum alloys to stainless steels. Salt-bath dip brazing and various plating techniques are currently used, but continuing research and development programs will undoubtedly produce other reliable methods of joining the two intrinsically dissimilar metals. The limitations of this bimetallic couple have been overcome, and satisfactory bonding has been achieved.