Vacuum brazing
Vacuum brazing is a precise joining process in which metal components are joined together with a material bond under vacuum conditions. The controlled process ensures high joint strength and excellent filling of the brazing gap, even with complex geometries and extremely fine capillary gaps.
During the brazing process, the component is heated to the required working temperature of 950°C to 1150°C (depending on the brazing alloy) and held at that temperature until the molten brazing alloy has completely filled all joint and gap areas. The temperature is then carefully lowered so that the brazing alloy solidifies, creating a homogeneous, dense joint between the components. Depending on the material and requirements, a defined quenching process is then performed to achieve the desired mechanical properties.
The vacuum virtually eliminates oxidation of both the base materials and the solder. This allows for metallically clean joints without flux. As a result, it enables joining methods and designs that would be difficult or impossible to achieve under atmospheric conditions.
A particular advantage of vacuum brazing is the ability to combine multiple process steps for steels that can be hardened in a vacuum. In many cases, brazing and hardening can be performed in a single heat treatment cycle. This reduces process times, saves energy, and significantly improves cost-effectiveness.
Vacuum brazing is particularly suitable for assemblies with high requirements for dimensional accuracy, strength, and leak tightness, as well as for components with complex or delicate geometries.
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Silvio Stranek
Sales, Technical Consulting / Quotes (Upper Austria, Tyrol, Salzburg, Vorarlberg, Bavaria, South Tyrol)
Email. s.stranek@htr.at
Phone: +43 (0) 664 / 88 92 78 10
Thomas Stadlober
Sales, Technical Consulting / Quotes (Styria, Vienna, Lower Austria, Carinthia, Slovenia)
Email. t.stadlober@htr.at
Phone: +43 (0) 664 / 88 64 15 06
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Your Questions, Answered
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand our services.
What is vacuum brazing?
Vacuum brazing is a thermal joining process in which components are permanently joined together under controlled vacuum conditions using a brazing alloy. The significantly reduced oxygen content results in clean, high-strength, and reliable brazed joints.
Why is brazing done under vacuum?
The vacuum prevents oxidation of the workpiece surfaces and the solder throughout the entire process. This results in metallically clean surfaces free of contaminants, which are essential for high-quality solder joints.
What are the advantages of vacuum brazing?
Vacuum brazing enables:
- Highest precision for complex and intricate component geometries
- very high strength and durability of the solder joint
- consistent, reliable, and reproducible results
- the elimination of flux, resulting in residue-free solder joints
For which components is vacuum brazing particularly suitable?
This process is particularly suitable for components with high requirements in terms of:
- Dimensional stability
- Strength and Tightness
- clean surfaces
- complex or delicate geometries
Which materials can be vacuum brazed?
Vacuum brazing is suitable for a wide variety of materials, including:
- Metals such as stainless steel, titanium, copper, and nickel
- Selected ceramics
- Composite materials
How does the vacuum brazing process work?
Can complex geometries be vacuum brazed?
Yes. Thanks to the solder’s capillary action, even the narrowest gaps can be reliably filled. This allows even very complex and delicate structures to be joined securely and evenly.
Is vacuum brazing reproducible?
Thanks to state-of-the-art vacuum brazing systems and precise process control, a high degree of reproducibility is ensured. Temperature, pressure, and atmosphere are closely monitored and regulated, resulting in consistently high quality.