Innovative design of Ag-based braze alloy and composites for dissimilar joints: Strategies and prospects

Ag-based braze alloy has emerged as a promising filler for the fabrication of key components through joining between dissimilar materials, including but not limited to metals, ceramic, glass, graphite, diamond and C/C composite. A tremendous effort has been employed to develop new types of Ag-based braze alloy and composite braze alloy with desirable properties. However, the continuous emergence of new materials, extreme complexity of brazing structure and extreme severity of service environment continuously addresses new challenges for the new materials under extreme conditions, including the poor wettability, excessive brittle phase, high residual stress and deteriorated property of brazed joints, hindering the development of key components. This review is anticipated to deliver new guidelines for the design and utilization of Ag-based braze alloy and composite braze alloy toward the practical application in brazing with a desirable performance. Additionally, perspectives on future Ag-based braze alloy development are discussed.