Experiments in Vacuum Brazing of Titanium

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.