Diffusion brazing of GH536 polycrystalline superalloy with IC10 single crystal superalloy using BNi-2 interlayer

Joining single crystal superalloy with polycrystalline superalloy has important applications in the aerospace industry. Here, the IC10 single crystal superalloy to GH536 polycrystalline superalloy was diffusion brazed using a BNi-2 filler alloy. The effects of bonding temperature and time on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the GH536/IC10 joints were investigated in detail. The results elucidated that the joint brazed at a lower temperature and time (i.e., 1050 °C/30min) was composed of diffusion affected zone (DAZ), athermal solidification zone (ASZ), and isothermal solidification zone (ISZ). The secondary precipitates formed in DAZ were Cr-rich borides, Cr–Mo borides, and Cr–Mo–W borides. The ASZ was made up of Cr-rich borides, Ni-rich borides, Ni–Cr borides, and Ni-based solid solutions. These borides with high hardness were the potential source of cracks and caused the joints to fracture under a lower load. Raising bonding temperature and time gradually eliminated Ni-rich borides in ASZ and Cr-rich borides in DAZ, and improved the shear strength.