Joining C/C composite to copper using active Cu–3.5Si braze

A simple technique was developed to join C/C composite to Cu using active Cu–3.5Si braze for nuclear thermal applications. The brazing alloy exhibited good wettability on C/C substrate due to the reaction layer formed at the interface. A strong interfacial bond of the brazing alloy on C/C with the formation of TiC + SiC + Ti5Si3 reaction layer was obtained. The produced CC/Cu/CuCrZr joint exhibited shear strength as high as 79 MPa and excellent thermal resistance during the thermal shock tests.

► A simple technique was developed to join C/C composite to copper and copper alloy.
► Excellent wettability of the Cu–3.5Si braze on laser-machined C/C substrate was obtained in the presence of TiH2 powders.
► Strong interfacial bond was obtained due to the formation of TiC + SiC + Ti5Si3 reaction layer.
► The joint exhibited quite high shear strength up to 79 MPa and excellent thermal resistance.