New attempt to improve friction stir brazing

Abstract An improved method of friction stir brazing (FSB) by application of mechanical vibration was introduced in this investigation. This modified version is entitled friction stir vibration brazing (FSVB) as joining specimens are vibrated normally to the brazing line. During this investigation, low carbon steel sheets are joined together using FSB and FSVB, and %67 wt Sn-%33 wt Pb alloy is used as brazing metal. The influence of FSB and FSVB processes on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of brazed samples is examined. The results indicate that the application of vibration during FSB causes the grain size to reduce in the joint region and it improves the homogeneity of intermetallic components (IMCs) distribution. The vibration of joining specimens, during FSVB, enhances the eutectic reaction of the molten brazing metal between the joining specimens and the molten fills the space between them thoroughly. The results also imply that the strength of FSVB-ed specimens is higher than that of FSB-ed specimens.