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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)
7 June 1985
----

MILITARY STANDARD

BRAZING, NICKEL, HIGH TEMPERATURE VACUUM

L-

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

NO DELIVERABLE DATA DOCUMENT

AREA THJM

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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Washington, DC 20301

Brazing, Nickel, High Temperature Vacuum

MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

1. This Military Standard is approved for use by US Army Tank-Automotive

Command, Department of the Army, and is available for use by all Departments
and Agencies of the Department of Defense.

2. Beneficial copments (recommendations, additions, deletions) and any

pertinent data which may be of use in improving this document should be
addressed to: US Army Tank-Automotive Command, ATTN: AMSTA-GSS, Warren, MI
48397-5000, by using the self-addressed Standardization Document Improvement
Proposal (DD Form 1426) appearing at the end of this document, or by letter.

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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

FOREWORD

This Military standard establishes brazing requirements using nickel base

brazing alloys. The requirements are presented in a self-contained form.
This is not an acquisition document.

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MIL-sTD-1877A(AT)

CONTENTS

Paragraph 1. SCOPE. , ..... .*......... *........,.. ......

● ● ● ● ● ● ●
1
1.1 Purpose........................................ 1
1.2 Scope..o.....o......o.......................... 1
1.2.1 Classification................................. 1

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . ......... ● ● ● ● ● O ● , . . , . . . . . ● . 2

2.1 Issues of documents............................ 2
2.2 Other publications............................. 2

3. DEFINITIONS. . ● ● ● .... .................0.... ....

● ●
4

4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ..*.............*.....0....

● 5
4.1 Equipment...................................... 5
4.1.1 Brazing furnace................................ 5
4.1.1.1 Alternate hydrogen atmosphere furnace.......... 5
4.1.2 Temperature and vacuum measuring
instrumentation and controls.................. 5
4.1.3 Fixtures....................................... 5
4.1.4 Braze alloy paste applicators.................. 5
4.1.5 Air pressure source............................ 5
4.2 Material....................................... 5
4.2.1 Braze alloy.. .. ● ● . . ● . . . . . . . . . . ● . . . . . . . . . . ● ● . . . . 5
4.2.1.1 Organic vehicle type............... .......... ● ●
6
4.2.1.2 Water vehicle type............................. 6
4.2.2 Thinner........................................ 6
4.2.3 Braze stopoff.................................. 6
4.2.4 Cooling gas.................................... 6
4.2.4.1 Argon..................*... ..........0... .*.. ● ●
6
4.2.4.2 Nitrogen....................................... 6
4.2.5 Vapor degreaser solvent........................ 6
4.2.6 Abrasive wheels................................ 6
4.2.7 Wire brush..................................... 6
4.2.8 Cleaning solvent............................... 6
4.2.9 Abrasive for abrasive blast.................... 6
4.2.9.1 Dry..,........... ,. ......... O.. .... . .
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
6
4.2.9.2 Wet abrasive slurry............................ 6
4.2.10 Heat shields................................... 6
4.3 Required procedures and operations............. 7
4.3.1 Preparation of parts................. .......... 7
4.3.1.1 Cleaning....................................... 7

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MIL-sTD-1877A(AT)

CONTENTS

Page

Paragraph 4.3.1.2 Polishing...................................... 7

4.3.1.3 Vapor degrease................................. 7
4.3.1.4 Abrasive blast................................. 7
4.3.1.5 Final wipe ..................................... 7
4.3.1.6 Nickel plate................................... 7
4.3.1.6.1 Application.................................... 7
4.3.1.6.2 Cleaning..a.................................... 7
4.3.2 Assembly....................................... 8
4.3.2.1 Braze joint clearance.......................... 8
4.3.3 Heat treatment................................. 8
4.3.4 Brazing........................................ 8
4.3.4.1 Braze alloy paste application.................. 8
4.3.4.2 Braze cycle.................................... 8
4.3.4.2.1 Hydrogen atmosphere braze cycle................ 8
4.3.4.3 Multiple cycles................................ 8

5. DETAIL REQUIREMENTS.. . *......**.... ..... **

● ● ● ● ● ●
9
5.1 Work instruction submittal..................... 9
Reports........................................ 9
- z:; Monitoring equipment........................... 9
5.3.1 Accuracy of furnace control instruments........ 9
5.4 Certification.................................. 9
5.4.1 Process technique.............................. 9
5*5 Test methods................................... 9
5.5.1 Inspection..................................... 9

TABLES

Table I. Brazing alloy, and reference brazing

temperature.................................... 10

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MIL-sTD-1877A(AT)

1. SCOPE

1.1 Purpose. The procedures covered by this standard are intended to be

b-
used to insure nickel brazing operations meet prescribed requirements.

1.2 Scope. This standard covers the requirements for brazing in a

vacuum atmosphere furnace using nickel base brazing alloys.

1.2.1 Classification. Braze joints shall be classified as follows:

Class 1 - Joints subjected to high stresses or fatigue loading.

Class 2 - Joints subjected to intermediate stresses.
Class 3 - Joints subjected to low stresses.

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MIL-STI)-1877A(AT
)

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

2.1 Issues of documents. The following documents of the issue in effect

on date of invitation for bids or request for proposal form a part of this -
standard to the extent specified herein.

SPECIFICATIONS
MILITARY

MIL-H-6875 Heat Treatment of Steel Process for.

MIL-T-81533 1.1.1 Trichlorethane (Methyl Chloroform)
Inhibited, Vapor Decreasing.

STANDARDS
MILITARY

MIL-STD-865 Selective (Brush Plating),

Electrodeposited.

PURCHASE DESCRIPTIONS
MILITARY

MIPD-M-62414 Metal Texturing, Process for (Liquid

Honing).
MIPD-N-62425 Nickel Plating, Process for.
MIPD-B-62449 Brazing Alloy, Nickel.

(Copies of specifications, standards, drawings, and publications required

by contractors in connection with specific acquisition functions should be -
obtained from the acquisition activity or as directed by the contracting
officer.)

(MIPD Specifications and Standards may be obtained from the US Army

Tank-Automotive Command, Attn: AMSTA-GSS, Warren, MI 48397-5000.)

2.2 Other publications. The following documents form a part of this

standard to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the
issue in effect on date of invitation for bids or request for proposal shall
apply.

SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS (SAE)

AMS 4776 - Brazing Alloy, Nickel Base.

AMs 4777 - Brazing Alloy, Nickel Base.
AMs 4779 - Brazing Alloy, Nickel Base.
AMs 5510 - Steel Sheet, Strip, and Plate, Corrosion
and Heat Resistant.

(Copies may be obtained from the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.,

400 Commonwealth Avenue, Warrendale, PA 15096.)

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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY

AWS A2.4 - Welding Symbols.

AWS A3.O - Welding Terms and Definitions.

(Copies of the above publications may be obtained from the American

Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, P.O. Box 351040, Miami, Florida
33135.)

(Technical society and technical association specifications and standards

are generally available for reference from libraries.)

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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 Terms. Definitions of terms relative to the equipment, processes

and procedures described in this standard can be found in the AWS A3.O w
reference document.
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MIL-sTD-1877A(AT)

4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Equipment.

4.1.1 Brazing furnace. The brazing furnace shall be suitable for the
intended purpose and shall be capable of maintaining the following
conditions:

a. A vacuum of less than 5 microns at 2200 degrees Fahrenheit (“F)

[1205 degrees Celsius (“C)].
b. Introducing and circulating cooling gas (argon or nitrogen) at
1700°F (927°C).
c. Uniform heating and cooling of the work load.
d. Uniform temperature in all areas of the work zone in accordance
with MIL-H-6875.
e. The leak-up rate of the furnace at ambient temperature and
starting at a pressure of 1 micron or less, shall not exceed 200
microns per hour.

4.1.1.1 Alternate hydrogen atmosphere furnace. As an alternate to the

vacuum furnace, a hydrogen atmosphere furnace may be used when approved in
writing by the acquisition activity.

4.1.2 Instrumentation and controls.

4.1.2.1 Temperature. All brazing furnaces shall be equipped with

temperature controllers and recorders in accordance with MIL-H-6875.
+
4.1.2.2 Vacuum gages and controls. Vacuum furnaces shall be equipped
with measuring gages, emission or alphatron type or equivalent, and recording
instrumentation. Their suggested location is to place them at the forward
side of the main diffusion pump gate.

4.1.3 Fixtures. Brazing fixtures shall be made of non-gassing heat

resistant materials, be capable of maintaining proper braze clearance, have
dimensional stability, and have compatible coefficients of expansion with
parts being joined.

4.1.4 Braze alloy paste applicators. Braze alloy applicator shall be

capable of dispensing the required size and amount of braze alloy paste. The
materials of the applicators shall not be detrimental to the alloy paste used
and may be of tube, bulb, cartridge, or air gun type,

4.1.5 Air pressure source. An air pressure source providing 40 pound

force per square inch (psi) minimum shall be required for both wet and dry
abrasive blast operations.

4.2 Material.

4.2.1 Braze alloy. Braze alloy may be in any of the following forms:
foil, wire, transfer tape, powder, or paste. The braze alloy paste shall be
either organic vehicle or water vehicle type.
\.

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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

4.2.1.1 Organic vehicle type. Organic vehicle type alloy paste shall
consist of equal parts by volume of braze alloy powder (see table 1) and
binder. The binder viscosity may be reduced by mixing with thinner up to
-
equal parts by volume. Additional binder and thinner may be added as
required to maintain consistency during use.

Note: Preparation for use shall be accomplished by thoroughly

mixing the ingredients together in a beaker cleaned with
acetone.

4.2.1.2 Water vehicle type. Water vehicle type braze alloy paste shall
consist of braze alloy powder and a water vehicle type binder. Premixed
cartridge application paste is available from the binder manufacturer.

4.2.? Thinner. Acetone, technical grade (99.0 percent pure).

4.2.3 Braze stopoff. Braze stopoff may be either stick or liquid form
and shall be capable of satisfactorily inhibiting the braze alloy wetting the
surface to which the braze stopoff has been applied.

4.2.4 Cooling gas.

4.2.4.1 Argon. The purity shall be 99.995 percent pure with a dew point
lower than -60”F (-51”C).

4.2.4.2 Nitrogen gas. Nitrogen may be substituted for argon. The

purity shall be 99.995 percent nitrogen with a dew point of -72°F (-58”C).
-
4.2.5 Vapor degreaser solvent. Stabilized 1-1-1 trichloroethane
MIL-T-81533 or equivalent type solvent,

4.2.6 Abrasive wheels. Silicon carbide impregnated cloth wheels.

4.2.7 Wire brush. The wire brush shall have austenftic stainless steel
bristles.

4.2.8 Cleaning solvent. Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) or isopropyl

or methyl alcohol of commercial grade.

4.2.9 Abrasive for abrasive blast.

4.2.9.1 ~. Nicrobraz blasting grit - 60 or equivalent.

4.2.9.2 Wet abrasive slurry. The wet abrasive slurry shall be in

accordance with MIPD-M-62414.

Note: Aluminum oxide grit shall not be considered an equivalent

material.

4.2.10 Heat shields. Heat shields shall be made from AMS 5510 metal or
equivalent material or fiber-frax cloth.
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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

4.3 Required procedures and operations.

4.3.1 Preparation of parts. All surfaces to be brazed shall be prepared

in the following manner except for surfaces that are to be nickel plated (see
4.3.1.6).

4.3.1.1 Cleaning. Part surfaces shall be thoroughly cleaned using

appropriate chemical solutions (see 4.2.8).

4.3.1.2 Polishing. Mating surfaces shall be prepared for brazing by

polishing with a silicon carbide impregnated cloth wheel or wire brush (see
4.2.6 and 4.2.7).

Note: Polishing is not applicable to plated or otherwise specially

prepared surfaces.

4.3.1.3 Vapor degrease. When required to maintain cleanliness, parts

and fixtures to be placed in brazing furnace shall be vapor degreased (see
4.2.5).

4.3.1.4 Abrasive blast. All surfaces to be brazed shall be either dry

or wet abrasive blasted as follows:

a. Dry abrasive blast. Dry abrasive blasting shall be

accomplished using the specified material and air pressure (see
4.1.5 and 4.2.9.1).

-. Note: After dry abrasive blasting, parts shall be handled in a

manner which will prevent contamination of the surfaces.

b. Wet abrasive blast. Except for slushing in oil, wet abrasive

blasting shall be performed in accordance with all the
requirements of MIPD-M-62414 (see 4.2.9.2).

4.3.1.5 Final wipe. Wet abrasive blasted parts shall have the areas to
be brazed, wiped with a clean, lint free wiper wet with a suitable solvent
(see 4.2.8).

4.3.1.6 Nickel plate. Nickel plate shall be required on the braze joint
area of stainless or corrosion resistant steels and superalloy parts having
the equal or larger percentage by weight of the following alloying elements:

a, Titanium - 0.70 percent.

b. Aluminum - 0.40 percent.
c* Titanium plus aluminum - 0.70 percent.

4.3.1,6.1 Application. Nickel plate 0.4 to 0.8 mil (0.010 to 0.020 mm)
thick shall be applied in accordance with the requirements of MIL-STD-865 or
MIPD-N-62425 and the following:

a. The nickel plate shall extend 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) minimum beyond
the braze joint areas indicated by the braze symbol on the
--- engineering drawing unless part geometry does not permit this
allowance.

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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

b. The nickel plate shall be applied to each joint surface or

surfaces immediately before the braze cycle and to the required
braze joint surface or surfaces for each subsequent braze -
cycle.

Note: The nickel plating does not apply to rebraze cycles.

4.3.1.6.2 Cleanin~. The nickel plated braze joint surface shall be

thoroughly wiped with a suitable solvent (see 4.2.8).

4.3.2 Assembly. The detail parts shall be fixtured in the position

specified on the assembly drawing.

4.3.2.1 Braze joint clearance. The optimum joint clearance between

mating surfaces shall be 0.002 to 0.005 inch [0.050 to 0.127 millimeter (mm)]
with the following exceptions:

a. When one of the mating surfaces is knurled (0.003 to 0.005

inch/O.076 to 0.127 mm deep), a minimum gap clearance is not
required.
b. Isolated areas of the braze gap may have clearances up to 0.010
inch (0.254 mm).
c* Braze gaps at areas with sharp radii (eg, leading and trailing
edges of vane to shroud joints) may have clearances up to
0.025 inch (0.635 mm).

4.3.3 Heat treatment. When heat treatment is specified on the

engineering drawing, heat treatment may be combined with the braze cycle.

4.3.4 Brazing. The required class of braze joint (see 1.2.1) shall be
as specified in the tail of the brazing symbol on the engineering drawing.
Braze symbols shall be interpreted in accordance with AWS A2.4.

4.3.4.1 Braze alloy paste application. Braze alloy paste (see 4.2.1.1
and 4.2.1.2) application shall be as follows:

a. Braze alloy paste shall be applied to the braze joint areas

designated on the engineering drawing. The fillet shall be
kept to a minimum to prevent excessive braze flow and erosion
of base metal.
b. When necessary, braze stopoff (see 4.2.3) shall be applied to
restrict flow of braze alloy.
c. Excess braze alloy paste shall be removed from the joints.
d. The braze alloy paste shall be dried at room temperature for
2 hours minimum or 160 to 250”F (71 to 121”c) for 50 to 70
minutes.

4.3.4.2 Braze cycle. The braze cycle shall be as follows:

a. The assembly shall be placed in the furnace (see 4.1.1).

Suitable high temperature shields (see 4.2.10) shall be used as
required on coated parts to protect coating from damage by
direct radiation. -

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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

b. The cooling gas line shall be purged and the furnace vacuum
pumped down to 10 microns or less prior to application of heat.
L. c* The heating rate shall not exceed 50”F (10”C) per minute from
room temperature to 800”F (427”c) and 20°F (-6.7°C) per minute
from 800°F (427°C) to the approved equalizing temperature (see
table I).
d. If the pressure exceeds 50 microns during the heat-up below
1000”F (538°C), the heat shall be turned off to allow the
furnace vacuum to recover to 10 microns or less.
e. The equalizing temperature shall be maintained until the
pressure recovers to 2 microns or less and then continued for a
period of 60 minutes minimum.
f. The heat-up rate from the equalizing temperature to the brazing
temperature shall be at a specified control rate not to exceed
5°F per minute (2.2°C per minute).
g* Unless otherwise specified, the assembly shall be maintained at
the specified brazing temperature (see table I) for 10 to 30
minutes.
h. The heat-up rate, equalizing holding time, and brazing tempera-
ture and time shall be as approved by the acquisition activity.
i. Unless otherwise specified on the engineering drawing, assembly
shall be cooled in a vacuum, argon gas, or nitrogen gas
atmosphere. If an argon or nitrogen gas is used, not more than
-2 inches gage pressure of cooling gas shall be introduced
until reaching a part temperature of 400”F (204”C).
j. Furnace door may be opened below 400”F (204”C).

L. 4.3.4.2.1 Hydrogen atmosphere braze cycle. Request by a contractor to

use the alternate hydrogen atmosphere brazing cycle must be submitted in
writing for approval. Data to be included shall contain full processing
procedure to the acquisition activity.

4.3.4.3 Multiple cycles. Application of braze alloy paste and the braze
cycle (see 4.3.4.1 and 4.3.4.2) shall be repeated as required for assemblies
requiring more than one braze cycle to complete the assembly operation.
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MIL-STD-1877A(AT)

5. DETAIL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Work instruction submittal. Specific work instructions (process

procedures) for each part number and the revision or change of such work
instructions shall be submitted to the acquisition acitivity for review prior
to use. The acquisition activity material laboratory reserves the right to
disapprove any work instruction and change or revision submitted for review.

5.2 Reports. Unless otherwise specified on the purchase order, the

supplier shall furnish three copies of a certificate with each shipment. The
certificate shall state the following:

a. Purchase order number.

b. Part number and revision letter.
c. Quantity.
d. Brazing heat (lot) number.
e. Conformance to this standard, latest revision.

5.3 Monitoring equipment.

5.3.1 Accuracy of furnace control instruments. The accuracy of

temperature measuring and controlling instruments shall be checked at regular
intervals of at least once in every 90 working days in accordance with the
requirements of MIL-H-6875. The calibrated thermocouple shall be of the
platinum type or chromel/alumel type.

5.4 Certification.

5.4.1. Process technique. Initial substantiation tests shall be

conducted using this process procedure (equipment, heat treatment, brazing
process, etc.) to determine conformance to the engineering drawing
requirements for each part configuration. Certification renewal shall be
required every 12 months.

Note: If a supplier has more than one facility, each facility shall
require separate approval for any given part configuration.

5.5 Test methods.

5.5.1 Inspection. The method of braze inspection and acceptance levels

shall be in accordance with the applicable inspection specifications cited on
the engineering drawing.

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MIL-sTD-1877A(AT)

TABLE I. Brazing alloy, and reference brazing temperature.

L.

Equalizing
Braze alloy temperature (2) Brazing temperature (2)

AMS 4776 (1) 1740°F (949°C) 2050-2075°F (1121-1135”C)

AMs 4777 1740°F (949°C) 1900-1950”F (1038-1066”C)

MIPD-B-62249 (1) 1740°F (949°C) 211O-2135”F (1154-1170”C)

AMs 4779 1740°F (949”C) 2020-2050”F (1104-1121”C)

Note:

(1) Brazing cycle for components containing coated parts must be

maintained within this temperature range.

(2) The temperatures noted are actual part temperatures as

established in furnace calibrations.

Custodian: Preparing activity:

L-
Army - AT Army - AT

(Project No. THJM-A219)

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INSTRUCTIONS: In ● continuingeffort tomakeourWendardizetion documents better, the DoD provides this forM for usc in
~ub~tthg comman~ ~d suggeetionc forimprovements.Alluemaofmilitary atandamlizetiondoctumenb am kinked toprovide
auggestiom. Thisform may be dekched, folded along the lines indicated,taped alongtheloose edge(DONOT S1’@’M), ~d
meiled. In block 6, be M specific M poeaible about particular
problem areas such M wordiag which required interpretetio% wec
- too rigid, restrictive,lcwsa, ambIsuour, or was incompatible,
end give propaed wordw cbengee which would alleviate the
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acknowledgement will bemailed toyouwithin SOdaystoletyouknowthat yourcomments wererecdved endarebebg
considered.

NOTE: ‘his fortn meY not be uead to request copiee of documente, nor to mqueat
wahera, orcMUhtion of
deviatioru,
specification
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to waive any portion of the referenced document(s) or to amend contractual requirements.

(Fold ELOIUthb Mu)

(Reid along thlc he)

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

111111 rl

UNWED STATES

r
OFFICIAL BUSINE=
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 BUSINESS REPLYMAIL
‘FIRST CLASS PERMIT NO 120S2 WASH INGTON 0 C

POmAGE WILL BE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMf

Commander
US Army Tank-AutomotiveCommand
ATTN: DRSTA-GSS
Warren, MI 48080
u..
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STANDARDIZATION DOCUMENT IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL

(Seelmtructions -RpwkSide) ‘
1. DOCUMENT NUMBER 2. DOCUMENT TITLE

I
k NAME OF SUBMITTING ORGANIZATION 4. TYPE OF ORGANIZATION (Mark OM)

❑ VENOOR w

t. AODRE6S.(Street, City, State, ZIP Code)

❑ USER

D MANUFACTURER

I
I
❑ OTHER (8JWCifY):
—
i. PRoBLEM AREAS
a Pwewph Number and Wording:

b, Recommended Wording:

c. Rwmon/Rotlonsle for Recommendation:

, REMARKS

o. NAME OF SUBMITTER osf, fkt, Ml) - Options\ b. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER (Inchde Area
CO&) - Option-l

MAILtNG AODRESS (Street, Cfty, 8tote, ZIP Code) - Optlond B. DATE OF SUBMISSION ft’YMMDD)

PREVIOUS EOITION IS OftSOLETE.