Study on microstructure and properties of BAg17CuZnSn-xCe filler metals

Ce was introduced into BAg17CuZnSn filler metals, and the effect of Ce content on microstructure and brazing properties of low silver filler metals were studied. The results show that the spreading area on brass and stainless steel increase 12.1% and 37.4%, respectively with 0.15% Ce addition. The maximum shear strength of brazing joint could reach 340.2 MPa using BAg17CuZnSn-0.15Ce filler metal. The anticorrosion ability of BAg17CuZnSn-xCe filler metals is improved with increasing Ce content. The BAg17CuZnSn-xCe filler metals show finer and more uniform microstructure when the content of Ce is 0.15%. However, some Ce-Sn intermetallics phases occurred in the filler metals when the Ce content reaches 0.5%.