The various methods of furnace, torch, induction, resistance, dip, and laser brazing are used to produce a wide range of highly reliable brazed assemblies. However, imperfections that can lead to braze failure may result if proper attention is not paid to the physical properties of the material, joint design, prebraze cleaning, brazing procedures, postbraze cleaning, and quality control. Factors that must be considered include brazeability of the base metals; joint design and fit-up; filler-metal selection; prebraze cleaning; brazing temperature, time, atmosphere, or flux; conditions of the faying surfaces; postbraze cleaning; and service conditions. This article focuses on the advantages, limitations, sources of failure, and anomalies resulting from the brazing process. It discusses the processes involved in the testing and inspection required of the braze joint or assembly.

The quality of brazed stainless steel joints depends on the selection of the brazing process, process temperature, filler metal, and the type of protective atmosphere or flux. This article provides a detailed discussion on the applicability and brazeability of stainless steel and lays an emphasis on the selection of suitable filler metal, brazing processes, and its corresponding furnace atmosphere for brazing different grades of stainless steel. The types of brazing processes include torch brazing, furnace brazing in different atmospheres (dissociated ammonia, dry hydrogen, and vacuum atmosphere), dip brazing in salt bath, and high-energy-beam brazing. A complete list of the typical compositions and properties of standard brazing filler metals for brazing stainless steel is also provided.

This article describes the factors considered in the analysis of brazeability and solderability of engineering materials. These are the wetting and spreading behavior, joint mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, metallurgical considerations, and residual stress levels. It discusses the application of brazed and soldered joints in sophisticated mechanical assemblies, such as aerospace equipment, chemical reactors, electronic packaging, nuclear applications, and heat exchangers. The article also provides a detailed discussion on the joining process characteristics of different types of engineering materials considered in the selection of a brazing process. The engineering materials include low-carbon steels, low-alloy steels, and tool steels; cast irons; aluminum alloys; copper and copper alloys; nickel-base alloys; heat-resistant alloys; titanium and titanium alloys; refractory metals; cobalt-base alloys; and ceramic materials.

Cast irons and carbon steels are brazeable materials, although the brazeability of cast iron is lower than that of carbon steel. The article provides a detailed discussion on the brazeability of different types of cast iron (malleable iron, ductile iron, and gray iron), carbon steels, and dissimilar metals. It describes the factors considered in the selection of filler-metal for cast iron and carbon steel brazing, such as temperature and environment, brazed joint design, heat source, and heat-treatment requirements. The article also discusses the basic considerations in cleaning and fixturing procedures, filler metal and flux/atmosphere feeding procedures, and the heating methods of cast iron and carbon steel brazing.