vacuum brazing
what is vacuum brazing?
Vacuum brazing is a high-quality, reproducible joining process in which joints are formed in a vacuum furnace at temperatures between 800 °C and 1200 °C. Because the process takes place in a vacuum, oxygen and contaminants are absent, so no oxidation occurs and no flux is needed.
Due to capillary action (through the precisely small solder gaps), the solder material (often based on silver, copper, nickel, and/or gold) flows between the parts, resulting in an extremely strong and clean (metallically bright) joint. It is suitable for all metals such as stainless steel & titanium, copper and nickel alloys with a melting point above approximately 800°C. Various non-metals such as graphite, hard metal, diamond, and ceramics can also be vacuum brazed.
the process
- Preparation: Thorough cleaning of parts and application of solder material (foil, paste, or wire).
- Heating: The parts are heated in a vacuum furnace with a controlled temperature profile to above the melting temperature of the solder and then cooled in a controlled manner (with nitrogen/argon). Brazing under hydrogen is also possible.
- Joining: The liquid solder wets the surfaces.
- Cooling: Controlled cooling ensures a uniform microstructure and minimal distortion.
- Inspection: Visual inspection and testing for density and strength.
key advantages
- High Quality: Very strong (often equal to the strength of the base material), leak-tight, and corrosion/heat-resistant joints. Also, very clean, hygienic, gap-free joints (no flux required). Important for the food or medical industry.
- High Design Freedom: Thick/thin is possible, large surfaces can be joined.
- Multiple Joints: More than one joint can be made in a single process. The production of complex products is possible.
- Versatile: Possibility to join dissimilar materials, such as ceramics to steel.
- Efficient: Brazing and hardening (for example, of dies) can often be combined in a single process step.
- Dimensional Stability: Minimal distortion, ideal for complex and precise products.
fields of application
Due to its high reliability and the ability to produce precision components, vacuum brazing is widely used in:
- Aerospace: For temperature-resistant components.
- Medical Industry: For hygienic and gap-free joints.
- Mechanical Engineering: For joining stainless steel, hard metals, diamond, and tool steel.
- Automotive: For hydraulic systems and heat exchangers.
- Energy Technology: Fuel cells and heat exchangers.
industries we serve
process locations
Any questions? Contact us directly or select a process location near you.
Manchester (Connecticut)
United States 41.8003737-72.5057255 HT-AST-CT@aalberts-st.us (860) 432-1840 show locationDunningen
Germany 48.2249668.5003521 info.dunningen@aalberts-st.com +49 7403 92907-0 show locationEindhoven
the Netherlands 51.47035245.419001 info.eindhoven-heat@aalberts-st.com +31 40 266 3000 show locationGaildorf
Germany 49.01621959.7588191 info.gaildorf@aalberts-st.com +49 7971 96980 show locationGoffstown (New Hampshire)
United States 42.9936399-71.5222791 HT-AST-NH@aalberts-st.us (603) 945-3761 show locationGreenville (South Carolina)
United States 34.8319956-82.2940535 HT-AST-Garlington@aalberts-st.us (864) 213-9310 show locationKalisz
Poland 51.736470518.03159 info.kalisz@aalberts-st.com +48 798 804 003 show locationKehl
Germany 48.500157.82006 info.kehl@aalberts-st.com +49 7854 96470 show locationWerther
Germany 52.085558.42509 info.werther@aalberts-st.com +49 5203 97405 show locationLetchworth
United Kingdom 51.9887569-0.2038797 info.letchworth@aalberts-st.com +44 1462 472100 show locationCleveland
United States 41.6349254-81.4225348 sales@paulo.com +1 440 946 5900 show locationUnsere Verfahren
Wir bieten weltweit alle Arten von Wärmebehandlungsprozessen an. Unsere Anlagen sind logistisch eng miteinander verknüpft, so dass Ihnen alle Verfahren zur Verfügung stehen. Erfahren Sie mehr zu unseren Wärmebehandlungsverfahren.
Heiß-Isostatisches Pressen (HIP) dient der Beseitigung von Porosität. Sie benötigen bei Lötverbindungen eine hohe mechanische Haltbarkeit und Unempfindlichkeit bei hohen Temperaturen? Wir bei Aalberts surface technologies bieten die Lösung durch Hartlöten (brazing).
Polymerbeschichtungen können auf viele Grundmaterialien aufgebracht werden und bieten lang anhaltenden Schutz. Sie sind mechanisch besonders gut mit dem Untergrund verankert und bieten verbesserte Gleiteigenschaften und/oder hohe Verschleißfestigkeit.
Mit 40 Jahren Erfahrung in der kontinuierlichen Veredelung von reel to reel können Sie sich auf Aalberts surface technologies verlassen, um innovative Lösungen zu finden. Unser Service umfasst Trommelgalvanik, kontinuierliche selektive Galvanik und Gestellgalvanik.
Fast alle metallischen Grundwerkstoffe können mit unseren selbstentwickelten und patentierten Verfahren durch Oberflächenbeschichtungen in ihren Eigenschaften optimiert werden, egal ob sie besonders hart, glatt, verschleißfest oder korrosionsbeständig sein sollen.
Discover our services
We offer all types of heat treatment processes. Our facilities are closely interlinked in terms of logistics, which means that all processes are available to you. For a complete list and description of heat treatment technologies please select the button.
Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is used to eliminate porosity. Do you need high mechanical durability and insensitivity to high temperatures for solder joints? We at Aalberts surface technologies offer the solution through brazing.
Polymer coatings can be applied to a wide variety of base materials and offer long-lasting protection. They are particularly well anchored mechanically to the substrate. Additional enhancement layers allow non-stick coatings to be combined with improved sliding properties and/or high wear resistance.
With 40 years of experience in continuous reel to reel finishing, you can depend on Aalberts surface technologies to find innovative solutions that other companies might say are impossible. Our service includes barrel plating, continuous selective plating and rack plating.
Almost all metallic base materials can have their properties optimised by surface coatings using our proprietary and patented processes, regardless of whether they should be particularly hard, smooth, wear-resistant or corrosion-resistant.