Interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of tungsten carbide brazed joints using Ag-Cu-Zn + Ni/Mn filler alloy

WC-Co hard metal was furnace brazed by Ag-Cu-Zn+Ni/Mn filler alloy using a tube furnace under high-purity argon at 730 °C. The influence of brazing time and gap size of joints was studied. The results revealed the maximum shear strength of (156±7) MPa for samples with 150 µm gap size at a holding time 15 min. The characterization and microstructure of the brazed joints were characterized by SEM, EDS and XRD. The results showed that increasing the time from 5 to 15 min could provide a better chance for the liquid interlayer to flow towards the base metal. However, the formation of some metallic phases such as Mn3W3C at brazing time longer than 15 min resulted in decreased shear strength of the joint.