Abstract
As service conditions become more challenging and production complexity increases, there is an increasing demand for enhanced comprehensive performance of ceramic/metal heterostructures. At present, brazing technique has been widely utilized for ceramic-metal heterogeneous joints. However, the residual stress relief in these welding joints is complicated and necessary. Because metals and ceramics have different properties, especially their coefficients of thermal expansion. Welding joints exhibit large residual stresses during the cooling process. The relatively high residual stresses may significantly degrade the joint properties. For this issue, four alleviation routes were reviewed: optimization of process parameters, setting an intermediate layer, surface structure modulation and particle-reinforced composite solder. The states and distribution patterns of residual stress in ceramic-metal brazed joints were summarized, and the generation and detection of residual stress were introduced. Eventually, upcoming prospects and challenges of residual stress research on ceramic/metal heterostructures were pointed out.
Ceramic/metal heterojunctions exhibit various advantages, including good hardness, wear resistance, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and high chemical stability. These joints also display excellent photoelectric qualities, achieving wide application in the aerospace, electronic information and communications, instrumentation production and other field
Residual stress relief is a critical focus in the global research of metal/ceramic brazing interfaces. Currently, four primary techniques are employed to mitigate these residual stresses. (1) Optimization of process parameters. This tech-nique involves adjusting holding time and brazing temper-ature to achieve optimal bonding conditions. (2) Utilization of an intermediate layer. Employing intermediate layers, such as metal foils, foam metal layers, or carbon materials, can effectively withstand loads and prevent deformation of the base material, thereby reducing the gradient in the coefficient of linear expansio
This research provides a concise discussion on the optimization of process parameters, utilization of an intermediate layer, enhancement of composite solders, and regulation of surface structure. Additionally, it points out the limitations of current research on residual stress relief. Furthermore, future directions for development are also proposed, offering valuable references for engineering research and technological advancements in related fields.
Numerous investigations have been conducted worldwide to explore the alleviation of residual stresses in joints. The primary mitigation methods encompass the optimization of process parameters, utilization of intermediate layers, enhancement of composite solders, and regulation of surface structures. The physical and mechanical properties of ceramics (such as Poisson's ratio, yield strength, elastic modulus, and CTE) differ significantly from those of metals. Consequently, residual stresses are prone to occur at the interfaces between the
The optimal process parameters can be determined by experiments and calculation simulations. This can enhance the brazing quality and improve the mechanical properties of the joints. For instance, adjusting the brazing temperature, holding time, and cooling rate can enhance the bonding strength and weld quality at the joint
The optimization of process parameters can effectively reduce shear stresses in joints. Barrena et a

Fig.1 Changes in flexural strength (a), hardness (b), and fracture toughness (c) of Ti(C7, N3)/TiB2/WC metal/ceramic joint
Modifying the experimental parameters during the brazing process is essential for enhancing material properties. By effectively regulating the process parameters, it is possible to achieve joints with superior performance and stronger bonding characteristics.
If the material shrinkage exceeds the permissible limits of the joints, stresses will develop in the brazed joints during the cooling process. Low-plasticity and high-strength joints may experience significant strains, leading to fracture potentially. To ensure complete bonding during brazing and enhance joint strength, a transition layer is incorporated between the metals or ceramics to create a “sandwich” structure. This approach to regulating residual stresses can effectively mitigate stress concentrations and improve plastic deformation characteristics of joints.
Copper, nickel, and molybdenum foils serve as intermediate layers in the brazing process. Specific requirements of brazing processes are important for selecting intermediate layer
The interlayer thickness is carefully chosen, and the brazing process is adjusted accordingly. Wang et a
The intermediate layer can achieve substantial enhancements despite a small specific surface area. Wu et a

Fig.2 Axial stress (a) and shear stress (b) distribution curves of three interlayers at the interface from ceramic edge to interio
Therefore, the thickness of the intermediate layer and brazing process should be adjusted rationally. Furthermore, the intermediate layer has the capacity to provide significant enhancements with a small specific surface area.
To enhance the distribution of interlayer delamination and improve the performance of brazing interlayers, the use of porous structures is significantly effective. Foam metal, characterized by its three-dimensional network-like porous structure, serves as a representative example of such materials. Porous metal foam materials are extensively employed for residual stress relief within brazing interfaces. Notable representatives include C
The porous metal foam is uniformly distributed throughout the brazed joint in a three-dimensional configuration. Guo et a

Fig.3 Effect of Ni foam thickness on shear strength (a) and thermal cycle failure (b) of Si3N4/Invar brazed joint
Metal foams with substantial energy absorption properties have been widely employed as interlayer materials. Wang et a
Porous Si3N
The CTE of a joint is reduced by the uniform distribution of reinforcing particles within the solde
To ensure metallurgical reactivity, it is essential to incorporate a reinforcing phase composed of micron-sized or stabilized ceramic particles that contain active elements.
A portion of the stress will be absorbed at the interface between the substrate and the ceramic particles, thereby reducing the partial stress within the joint. Qin et a

Fig.4 Microstructures of brazed joints with particle-reinforced solder: (a) SiC particles reinforced AgCuTi; (b) TiC particles reinforced AgCuTi; (c) Al2O3 particles reinforced AgCuTi; (d) BN particles reinforced AgCuT
The Al2O3 particles were uniformly distributed and stabilized within the joint, as depicted in
To further enhance the dispersion of the particles, an alternative approach involves the in-situ synthesis of the reinforcing phase. In this method, the ceramic phase is generated through a reaction between the ceramic constituents, reactive elements, and solders. The in-situ synthesis technique facilitates a uniform distribution of the reinforcing phase while allowing for the controlled dissolution of reactive elements from the metallic material into the solder. This approach helps to prevent excessive reactions with the ceramic material. When reacting with active elements, particles such as Si3N
Generally, there exists a gradient in the CTE between metals and ceramics, which effectively reduces residual stress at the brazing joints. This phenomenon is attributed to the low CTE and excellent stability of most ceramic particles. Consequently, this approach has been widely adopted as a method for particle reinforcement.
Research focusing on reducing residual stress has accelerated the widespread application of various carbon materials due to their low CTE, making them particularly effective for regulating residual stress.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been shown to enhance wettability, thereby facilitating the ability of solder to fill gaps. Song et a

Fig.5 BSE images of brazed joints with added CNTs: (a) 0.5 wt%; (b) 3.0 wt
Qi et a

Fig.6 Schematic diagram of in-situ synthesized CNT reinforced solde
Based on these studies, it is essential to achieve a strong integration and uniform distribution of the reinforcing phase within the solder. This approach can effectively alleviate residual stress and enhance joint strength. Carbon materials can react with active solders to form ceramic particles, which is a process that may consume active elements and contribute to the mitigation of residual stress. Therefore, ensuring the uniform distribution of carbon materials is critical for relieving residual stress and preventing agglomeration.
When the concentration of particulate reinforcing phases exceeds a certain threshold, defects, such as precipitation, cracks and voids, may occur within the joint. In comparison to carbon materials, reinforcing phase materials with low CTE demonstrate a more effective capacity for relieving residual stresses.
Negative expansion materials as effective expansion inhibitors can effectively regulating positive thermal expansion. Wang et a

Fig.7 Finite element model mesh of C/SiC-Ti6Al4V joints (a); residual stress distribution in brazed joint of AgCu (b), and AgCu+3wt% ZrP2WO12 (c
In general, negative expansion materials serve to compensate for mismatches in thermal expansion behavior at the joint. However, the amount of negative expansion material must be carefully controlled. When its content exceeds a critical threshold, defects such as cracks and voids may develop in the brazed joints. Therefore, the research focus for particle-reinforced negative expansion materials should encompass the following key objectives: (1) preserving the negative expansion properties of the materials; (2) preventing undesirable complex reactions within the joints. By meeting these criteria, the residual stresses in brazed joints can be effectively reduced.
The incorporation of particle-reinforced composite solder consumes numerous reactive elements through interfacial reactions during the brazing process, which can lead to the formation of cracks and voids at the interface. Complete interfacial bonding can be accomplished by immersing the base material, allowing the composite solder to dissolve and diffuse. This process relies on the use of the high-temperature alloy characterized by a low CTE.
He et a
High-temperature metal particles can diminish the presence of excess active ingredients during brazing, as well as lower the CTE of both metals and ceramics, thereby mitigating the effects of residual stresses.
Cui et a

Fig.8 Interfacial evolution model: (a) interfacial reaction layer and interlayer formation; (b) joint moldin
W, M
At brazed joints, the distinct characteristics of metal and ceramic materials lead to significant stress concentrations. Within the ceramic, the reaction layer becomes the weakest segment of the entire joint, making it particularly susceptible to fracture due to its composition of predominantly brittle materials. During the cooling process, the ceramic-metal interface experiences residual strains following brazing. By designing ceramics with surfaces that are machined into curved or other complex geometries, the connection area can be increased. This facilitates improved wetting between the base material and the ceramic. This approach promotes a smoother transition between ceramic and metal properties. Common techniques for modulating the surface structure of ceramics include drillin
While the drilling method enhances the contact area, it may also induce irreversible damage to the brazed joints. Wang et a

Fig.9 Comparison of interface morphologies: (a) planar interface; (b) permeable interfac
With advancements in industrial technique, femtosecond laser processing has found extensive applications in micromachining. Li et a
A combination of methods can effectively modify the substrate material. Yang et a
In summary, controlling the surface structure can reduce the concentration of internal residual stresses throughout the joints. A gradient transition can mitigate interfacial residual stresses, thereby strengthening the brazed joints. Selecting an appropriate processing treatment is essential based on the characteristics of the base material. Certain oxide ceramics exhibit excellent wear and corrosion resistance, rendering chemical corrosion unnecessary for surface treatment. Additionally, it is crucial to choose suitable methods that ensure a robust connection between ceramics and metals, considering actual production conditions.
In precision instrumentation, electronic information technology, and aerospace applications, the demand for ceramic/metal joints is increasing due to their unique requirements. Consequently, the critical issue of excessive residual stress in ceramic/metal brazed joints is focused on, which arises from the significant differences in the CTE between metal and ceramic materials. This disparity can result in high residual stress at the interface, making the joint more susceptible to failure. To effectively mitigate residual stress, four methods are summarized, which include optimization of process parameters, utilization of an intermediate layer, enhancement of composite solders, and regulation of surface structure. These approaches can substantially enhance the practical performance of ceramic and metal composite components. Nonetheless, recent studies still exhibit several shortcomings.
1) Residual stress relief at the ceramic/metal interface primarily focuses on experimental and exploratory research. However, the mechanisms underlying residual stress generation have not yet been fully analyzed and clarified. The existing methods for stress adjustment tend to be relatively simplistic and exhibit significant limitations. A combination of different approaches may combine their respective advantages, with the composite method anticipated to be more effective in alleviating residual stresses. Nonetheless, this strategy may also result in higher costs and reduced efficiency. Further research is necessary to investigate the potential for integrating these various methods to effectively regulate residual stresses.
2) Practical applications necessitate the regulation of stress in large-scale structural components. Currently, these adjustments at experimental joints are often limited to small-scale applications. However, large structural components in industrial manufacturing predominantly consist of ceramic and metal composite materials. Residual stresses can significantly impact the operational integrity of the entire system, highlighting the need for more stringent requirements for joint stress regulation. Most existing researches indicate that residual stresses in metal-ceramic joints and their interfaces are often negligible and relatively easy to mitigate. However, in the context of large-scale equipment manufacturing, where components are large, the challenges of residual stress relief become more pronounced. Consequently, achieving greater uniformity in stress distribution is essential, as lower overall residual stress levels are critical for larger joints. Even minor flaws in a specific location may pose a significant risk to the integrity of the entire joint. Therefore, an effective solution for bonding ceramic to metal heterogeneous joints is essential and indispensable, particularly for suitability in industrial production.
3) Functional applications of ceramic/metal heterogeneous joints following stress relief warrant particular emphasis. Although the mechanical properties of traditional ceramic-metal brazed joints have been extensively studied, aspects such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and thermal shock resistance have not received adequate attention. Future research should prioritize these properties, as they will be crucial for effective residual stress regulation. A robust integration of theoretical frameworks and practical applications is essential in this regard. As the utilization of semiconductors continues to expand, ceramic/metal composite components are expected to gain increased prominence in future applications. Therefore, a comprehensive focus on the properties and functionalities of ceramic/metal heterostructures will significantly broaden their applicability.
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