Partial transient-liquid-phase bonding of TiC cermet to stainless steel using impulse pressuring with Ti/Cu/Nb interlayer

Partial transient liquid phase (PTLP) bonding of TiC cermet to 06Cr19Ni10 stainless steel was carried out. Impulse pressuring was used to reduce the bonding time, and a Ti/Cu/Nb interlayer was employed to alleviate the detrimental effect of interfacial reaction products on the bonding strength. Successful bonding was achieved at 885 °C under a pulsed pressure of 2–10 MPa within durations in the range of 2–8 min, which was notably shortened in comparison with conventional PTLP bonding. Microstructure characterization revealed the σ phase with a limit solubility of Nb, a sequence of Ti—Cu intermetallic phases and solid solutions of Ni and Cu in α + β Ti in the reaction zone. The maximum shear strength of 106.7 MPa was obtained when the joint was bonded for 5 min, indicating that a robust metallurgical bonding was achieved. Upon shear loading, the joints fractured along the Ti—Cu intermetallics interface and spread to the interior of TiC cermet in a brittle cleavage manner.