Silver braze alloy

Abstract

The present invention relates to a silver braze alloy having improved wetting properties. The silver braze alloy consists essentially of from about 52.25 wt % to about 57.0 wt % silver, from about 38.95 to about 43.0 wt % copper, from about 0.5 wt % to about 5.5 wt %, preferably from about 1.0 wt % to about 5.5 wt %, manganese, and up to about 2.5 wt %, preferably from about 1.5 wt % to about 2.5 wt %, nickel. The alloy further may contain 0.15 wt % total of other trace elements.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A method for brazing an article comprising of: 
 (1) providing an article formed from a ferrous material; (2) applying a brazing material to said article formed from an alloy consisting essentially of from about 52.25 wt % to about 57.0 wt % silver, from about 38.95 wt % to about 43.0 wt % copper, from about 0.5 wt % to about 5.5 wt % manganese, and up to about 2.5 wt % nickel; and (3) heating said article and said brazing material at a temperature in the range of from about 900° C. to about 1050° C. for a time sufficient to melt said brazing material.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said heating step comprises heating said article and said brazing material at a temperature in the range of from about 950° C. to about 1050° C.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said brazing material applying step comprises applying a brazing material consisting essentially of 56 wt % silver, 42 wt % copper, and 2.0 wt % manganese.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said brazing material applying step comprises applying a brazing material consisting essentially of 0.5 to 5.5 wt % manganese with the remaining composition proportional to the 56 wt % silver, 42 wt % copper, and 2.0 wt % nickel alloy.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said brazing material being applied has a nickel content in the range of from about 1.5 wt % to about 2.5 wt %.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said brazing material being applied has a manganese content in the range of from about 1.0 wt % to about 5.5 wt %.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said article providing step comprises providing an article formed from steel.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said article providing step comprises providing an article formed from stainless steel.