Os aços inoxidáveis duplex (AID) caracterizam-se pela sua microestrutura composta por austenita numa matriz ferrítica, com fração volumétrica média de 50% para cada fase. A combinação destas características confere-lhes excelente resistência mecânica e à corrosão. A soldagem/junção destes aços é frequentemente uma operação crítica, já que, ao sofrer ciclos térmicos, estes aços têm suas propriedades alteradas. Portanto, processos de junção com ausência de gradientes de temperatura, como a brasagem, mostram-se uma solução prática para a junção destes aços. No entanto, o adequado desenvolvimento do processo de brasagem em AID envolve considerações importantes a respeito da escolha dos parâmetros de processamento e metal de adição em conjunto com os ciclos térmicos de aquecimento e resfriamento. O presente estudo pretende avaliar a brasabilidade dos AID UNS S32101(baixa liga), UNS S32304 (baixa liga), UNS S32507 (superduplex) e UNS S32707(hiperduplex), mediante a caracterização da junta brasada. Estes aços foram brasados em forno continuo com metal de adição BNi-7 (Ni-Cr-P), na temperatura de 1100oC, por tempos de 32 min e 12 min, seguidos de resfriamento em forno, utilizando-se folgas de 0,5, 0,3 e 0,0 mm. A junta brasada foi caracterizada utilizando-se microscopia ótica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A identificação microestrutural foi realizada via Microanálise Química de Energia Dispersiva de Raios-X (EDS) e difração de Raios-X. Foi identificada na junta brasada dos diferentes AID a fase rica em níquel, assim como fases prejudiciais compostas por fosfetos de níquel e cromo. A fase rica em níquel, que usualmente é denominada de -Ni, apresenta-se preferencialmente em toda a região da junta, sem a presença de fase intermetálica contínua no centro da junta. No caso dos aços inoxidáveis super e hiperduplex esses apresentaram a formação de fase sigma na região da interface da junta, do lado do metal de base, devido aos ciclos térmicos de brasagem / The duplex stainless steels (DSS) are characterized by its microstructure consisting of austenite in a ferritic matrix with mean volumetric fraction of 50% for each phase. The combination of these features gives them excellent mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. The welding / joining of these steels are often considered as a critical operation, since, subjected to thermal cycles, they have their microstructures changed and, consequently, their properties. Therefore, joining processes without temperature gradients, like brazing, are shown as a practical solution for joining these steels. However, the proper development of brazing process of DSS involves important issues concerning the choice of processing parameters and the brazing filler metal together with heating and cooling brazing thermal cycles. This study aims at evaluating the brazeability of DSS UNS S32101 (lean duplex), UNS S32304 (lean duplex), UNS S32507 (superduplex) and UNS S32707 (hyperduplex) by characterizing the brazed joint. These steels were brazed in a furnace with filler metal BNi-7 (Ni-Cr-P) at 1100°C for times of 32 min and 12 min, followed by cooling in a continuous brazing furnace, with joint gaps of 0.5 , 0.3 and 0.0 mm. The brazed joint was characterized using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phase identifications were performed by microanalysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction. Results showed, for non-ideal joint gaps, in all duplex used in this work, the Ni rich solid solution, as well as deleterious phases composed of nickel and chromium phosphides. The ideal gap presented Ni rich solid solution, usually called -Ni, was found continuously without a continuous intermetallic region in the joint center. In the case of super duplex and hyperduplex brazing, the brazing thermal cycles produced the formation of sigma phase in the region of the joint interface, in the base metal.

Wide cracks in land-based Ni- or Co-base superalloy turbine components are difficult to repair successfully using conventional welding or brazing techniques. This project examined the feasibility of liquid phase diffusion brazing using novel Ni- and Co-base braze alloys containing Hf or Zr as melt point depressant for the repair of wide cracks in turbine components. An optimized braze cycle was developed and the joints were evaluated using various metallographic techniques and mechanical tests (elevated temperature tensile tests, creep rupture tests and low cycle fatigue tests). Microstructural examination revealed the presence of Hf- or Zr-rich intermetallic phases (most likely Ni7Hf2 or Ni5Zr) in Ni-base braze joints. These intermetallic compounds were, however, observed to be significantly softer than the boride phases routinely found in commercially available braze alloys with boron as melt point depressant. As a result, the novel wide gap brazed joints displayed excellent mechanical properties (ranging from 80% to 100% of the base metal’s properties). The low cycle fatigue properties of wide gap braze joints performed using a combination of MarM247 superalloy powder and Ni-Cr-Hf or Ni-Cr-Zr braze filler metals were found to be superior to those of the widely used Ni-Cr-B braze filler metals. Wide gap braze repair of FSX-414 Co-base superalloy using novel MarM509/MarM509B and MarM509/Co-Hf braze alloys resulted in high temperature tensile properties equivalent to those of weld repairs in the same parent material (using Nozzalloy filler metal). The creep rupture and low cycle fatigue (LCF) properties of the braze joints were superior to those of welds performed using MarM918 filler metal. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering / unrestricted

Ce travail s’inscrit dans une problématique industrielle relative à la fabrication d’échangeurs de chaleur utilisés dans les systèmes de conditionnement d’air sur avion. Ces échangeurs sont fabriqués à partir de tôles minces embouties en Ni 201, en Alliage 600 ou en AISI 444 brasées avec des tôles intercalaires et des barres de fermeture en Alliage 625. Le métal d’apport utilisé est la BNi-8, composé principalement de nickel, de manganèse, de silicium et de cuivre. Des défauts de brasage peuvent apparaître lors de la fabrication des faisceaux occasionnant un dysfonctionnement de l’échangeur. L’opération de brasage à l’échelle d’un échangeur implique un ensemble de phénomènes physiques couplés, liés au comportement thermomécanique de la structure alvéolaire, à l’hétérogénéité des conditions de brasage et à la métallurgie locale. Afin d’améliorer la compréhension des phénomènes liés au brasage, plusieurs axes d’études ont été entrepris. Dans un premier temps, le comportement du métal d’apport a été caractérisé avec l’étude des températures de fusion en fonction de la composition chimique, de la microstructure et des propriétés mécaniques associées. En parallèle, les métaux de base ont également été étudiés afin de connaître l’évolution de leur microstructure et donc des propriétés mécaniques en fonction de la température mais aussi de l’état des contraintes résiduelles présent dans le feuillard à l’issue de leur mise en forme par emboutissage. Une étude sur les tôles emboutis a également permis d’appréhender le comportement de ces produits minces en compression à chaud. Pour finir, afin de se rapprocher des conditions réelles de brasage en milieu industriel, des études ont été menées sur le couplage métal d’apport/métal de base d’un point de vue métallurgique mais aussi mécanique. L’ensemble de ces études a pour objectif de mieux appréhender les phénomènes mis en jeu pendant le cycle de brasage et de proposer des améliorations pour le procédé (géométrie des intercalaires, cycles thermiques, matériaux utilisés, etc.). / This work is devoted to improving the manufacturing process of heat exchangers used in aerospace applications. Heat exchangers included in air conditioning systems for aircraft are produced by brazing stamped thin alloys sheets made of nickel-based alloys, Alloy 600 and Ni 201, or stainless steel, AISI 444. Separation metal sheets and locking bars of Alloy 625 are used to complete the system. The used brazing filler metal BNi-8 is mainly composed of nickel, manganese, silicon and copper. However, brazing defects appear during the manufacture of theheat exchangers can lead to non-integrity of the components. In order to improve the understanding of the phenomena related to brazing, several axes of investigation have been considered. Firstly, the behavior of the brazing filler metal was characterized by studying the melting temperatures as a function of the composition, the microstructure and the associated mechanical properties. In parallel, the base metals were also studied in order to know the evolution of the microstructure and therefore the mechanical properties as a function of the temperature but also of the state of stress present in the metal sheet induced by the stamping. Studying of stamped thin alloys sheets also allowed to understand the behavior of these thin products in hot compression. Finally, in order to get closer to the actual brazing conditions in industrial environment, studies of the coupling of brazing filler metal/base metal from a metallurgical and mechanical point of view have been carried out. All of these studies pursue aim to better understand the phenomena involved during the brazing cycle and to propose improvements for the brazing process (geometry of stamped thin alloys sheets, thermal cycles, used materials, etc.).

Yes / Diffusion brazing has gained much popularity as a technique capable of joining dissimilar lightweight metal alloys and has the potential for a wide range of applications in aerospace and transportation industries, where microstructural changes that will determine the mechanical and chemical properties of the final joint must be controlled. This study explores the effect of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the mechanical and microstructural properties of diffusion brazed magnesium (AZ31) and aluminium (Al-1100) joints. The results showed that the addition of Al2O3 nanoparticle to the electrodeposited Cu coating increased the volume of eutectic liquid formed at the interface which caused a change to the bonding mechanism and accelerated the bonding process. When the Cu/Al2O3 nanocomposite coatings were used as the interlayer, a maximum bond strength of 46 MPa was achieved after 2 min bonding time while samples bonded using pure-Cu interlayers achieved maximum strength after 10 min bonding time. Chemical analysis of the bond region confirmed that when short bonding times are used, the intermetallic compounds formed at the interface are limited to the compounds consumed in the eutectic reaction.

L’allégement des véhicules est un objectif incontournable dans l’industrie automobile. Parmi les voies exploitées par les constructeurs, le déploiement d’alliages d’aluminium pour le pavillon permet un allégement de plusieurs kilogrammes. C’est pourquoi, le procédé de soudo-brasage laser occupe une place de choix pour l’assemblage hétérogène pavillon aluminium/caisse acier. Cependant, en plus des problèmes liés à l’hétérogénéité du joint soudé (formation de composés intermétalliques par exemple), des difficultés inhérentes à la production en grande série émergent : un environnement avec de fortes contraintes industrielles, un niveau de conformité élevé et robuste ainsi qu’une cadence de production imposant des grandes vitesses de soudo-brasage comprises entre 4 et 6 m/min et adaptée à des configurations exploitables industriellement. L’objectif de ce travail de thèse est de conduire une analyse physique et technologique du process de soudo-brasage laser pour un assemblage hétérogène allégé pavillon/caisse. Dans un premier temps, un ensemble d’hypothèses sur l’influence de la physique du procédé, des variables process et de l’environnement d’étude sur la conformité et la reproductibilité de ces assemblages furent établies. Leur validation ensuite a été réalisée par des essais à l’échelle 1 sur une installation laser de production industrielle, prolongée par des analyses de la métallurgie et de la microstructure des assemblages ainsi que d’une simulation numérique du procédé. La physique du procédé en lien avec les paramètres du process de soudo-brasage laser acier/aluminium à haute vitesse a été identifiée. Les variables énergétiques ont montrées un fort impact sur le niveau de conformité atteint ainsi que sur la dispersion des résultats. Celles-ci tendent à influencer fortement les phénomènes physiques mises en jeu et notamment la thermique à l’interface acier/aluminium, impactant directement la formation des composés intermétalliques et leurs microstructures. Différentes tailles de grains ont été observés en fonction des paramètres process, contrôlant ainsi la tenue mécanique des assemblages soudo-brasés. La modulation in fine du cycle thermique de soudo-brasage, piloté par la physique activée du process, permet de discriminer les configurations les plus optimales pour une application industrielle du procédé. / Weight reduction of vehicles is a key objective in the automotive industry. Particularly, the use of aluminum alloys for the roof is one of the most promising path studied by manufacturers to save several kilograms. Therefore, the laser brazing process has a place of choice for assembling heterogeneous aluminum roof / steel body-side. However, in addition to issues related to the heterogeneity of the welded joint (formation of intermetallic compounds, for example), issues related to the mass production emerge: an environment with strong industrial constraints, high and robust levels of compliance, a production rate involving high brazing speeds between 4 and 6 m / min and fitting with industrial configurations. The objective of this thesis is to conduct a physical and technological analysis of laser brazing process in the case of a heterogeneous lightweight roof / body-side assembly. Firstly, a set of assumptions about the influence of the physical process, the process variables and the industrial environment on the compliance and the reproducibility of these assemblies are made. Then, validation was conducted by tests at scale 1 on a laser industrial production set-up, extended by analysis of metallurgy and microstructure of assemblies and a numerical simulation of the process. The link between the physical phenomena of the process and the high speed steel-aluminium brazing process parameters has been identified. Energy variables showed a strong impact on the level of compliance achieved and on the dispersion of results. These variables tend to strongly influence the physical phenomena of the process and especially thermal behaviors at the steel / aluminum interface, directly impacting the formation of intermetallic compounds and their microstructures. Different grain sizes were observed depending on the process parameters, influencing hence the mechanical strength of assemblies. Finally, the modulation of the brazing thermal cycle, driven by the activated physical phenomenon of the process, allows bringing out the most optimal configuration for an industrial application of the process.

In the last two decades or so, hybrid structures from dissimilar materials and/or sheet gauges have been developed to achieve weight reduction while maintaining or even improving structural performance such as stiffness, crash and impact behavior. In particular, welded and brazed sheet materials in the form of tailor blanks (TBs) are being increasingly used or considered for future applications in different applications such as automotive, aerospace and marine constructions as they offer attractive combination of strength and performance in applications where weight reduction is desirable. However, technical problems are often encountered during forming of TBs from dissimilar base sheet materials with different thickness and/or strength. These include weld line movement and non-uniform deformation. Additionally, there are premature weld failures due to the presence of softening zone (as in TBs made from advanced high strength steels), and brazed interface failure due to insufficient bonding and wetting (as in TBs made from steel and aluminum). These areas of forming of TBs need to be scientifically studied to advance the use of dissimilar materials. The current research involves an understanding of deformation and forming behavior of steel-to-steel tailor welded blanks (TWBs) made from advanced high strength steel (AHSS) such as dual phase (DP780) steel. The research also involves a study of deformation behavior of steel-to-aluminum tailor brazed blanks (TBBs). TWBs have been successfully joined using a relatively new welding techniques such as defocused fiber laser welding. TBBs, on the other hand, have been successfully produced by fiber Laser/MIG hybrid brazing and Cold Metal Transfer brazing (CMT). In addition, the formability of TWBs of different gauges and/or strengths was tested by using a new, simple and reproducible method of formability testing using a double-layer blank method. This method was devised and assessed for testing various steel combinations in different strain paths such that the weld line stayed in position with respect to forming tools and is subjected to the same stress and strain state as the parent material in the weld and its vicinity. Moreover, results from conventional stretch forming tests, single-layer blank, and the double-layer method were compared at the macroscopic level (such as weld line movement, forming limit etc.) as well as at the microscopic level (such as failure location within the weld and failure mode) to isolate the advantages of the proposed double-layer method. With regard to TBBs made by fiber Laser/MIG and CMT brazing methods, a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the local deformation behavior and material plastic ow in and around the brazed steel-aluminum interfaces were obtained by conducting miniature tensile mechanical tests that focus on continuous observation of the brazed region under a high magnification optical microscope to assess the ductility of the brazed joint and its capacity to carry the load during a material shaping process. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / In the last two decades or so, hybrid structures from dissimilar materials and/or sheet gauges have been developed to achieve weight reduction while maintaining or even improving structural performance such as stiffness, crash and impact behavior. In particular, welded and brazed sheet materials in the form of tailor blanks (TBs) are being increasingly used or considered for future applications in different applications such as automotive, aerospace and marine constructions as they offer attractive combination of strength and performance in applications where weight reduction is desirable. However, technical problems are often encountered during forming of TBs from dissimilar base sheet materials with different thickness and/or strength. These include weld line movement and non-uniform deformation. Additionally, there are premature weld failures due to the presence of softening zone (as in TBs made from advanced high strength steels), and brazed interface failure due to insufficient bonding and wetting (as in TBs made from steel and aluminum). These areas of forming of TBs need to be scientifically studied to advance the use of dissimilar materials.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden neuartige Co-Basislote entwickelt, welche zum Hochtemperaturlöten von Co-Basis-Superlegierungen eingesetzt werden können. Diese werden hinsichtlich ihres Schmelzverhaltens, ihrer Mikrostruktur und ihrer mechanischen Eigenschaften charakterisiert. Die wesentliche Herausforderung besteht in der Vermeidung von Sprödphasenbändern im Lötgut, welche die Eigenschaften der Verbindungen verschlechtern, auch bei großen Spaltbreiten. Hierzu wird ausgehend vom Stand der Wissenschaft und Technik wird ein Legierungskonzept erarbeitet und umgesetzt. Es werden Schmelztemperaturen im Bereich kommerzieller Co-Basislote erreicht ohne dass nachteilige Sprödphasenbänder gebildet werden. Bei den mit kommerziellen Loten besonders kritischen zu lötenden großen Spaltbreiten zeichnen sich die entwickelten Legierungen durch erhöhte Zugfestigkeit und Duktilität aus. Das Potenzial der Lote wird anhand von Zugversuchen bei geringen und großen Spaltbreiten aufgezeigt, deren Ergebnisse mit der Mikrostruktur und in-situ Analysen zum Rissfortschritt korreliert werden. / This thesis deals with the development of novel Co-based brazing fillers, which can be employed for brazing of Co-based superalloys. The developed filler alloys are characterized with regard to their microstructure and their mechanical properties. The main challenge is the prevention of brittle intermetallic phase seams inside the braze metal, especially at high gap width. These phase seams deteriorate the mechanical properties of the joints significantly. For this purpose a new alloying concept is investigated. The melting temperatures of the developed filler alloys are similar to commercially available Co based fillers. Detrimental intermetallic phase seams do not occur. At high gap width, the developed filler alloys exhibit superior mechanical properties in comparison to commercially available fillers. The capability of the developed filler alloys is demonstrated using monotonic tensile tests at low and high gap width at different test temperatures. The results are correlated with the microstructure and in-situ analyses of the mechanisms of crack growth.

In the automotive industry a commonly used material is thin steel sheets coated with a thin layer of zinc for corrosion resistance purposes. Welding of this material, with the high temperatures involved, causes problems with zinc burn-off leading to reduced corrosion resistance. The zinc evaporation also causes arc disturbances leading to spatter formation, pores and difficulties achieving good visual weld quality. The joints are in many cases visible or semi-visible (e.g. visible after opening a door) and “A-grade” quality is demanded, meaning no visible discontinuities are allowed. It also implies a smooth and generally appealing appearance of the joint.An alternative to welding is brazing, and laser brazing meets the requirements but the process is associated with high costs. In the national project “LEX-B”, funded by Vinnova, the possibilities of using arc brazing, in particular one MIG/MAG brazing and two TIG brazing processes, for some automotive applications are investigated. This master thesis is connected to the first part of the project and aims at compiling data for making a selection of the most promising process to investigate and optimise further. LEX-B is conducted in cooperation between Swerea KIMAB, Volvo Trucks, Scania CV and University West. The joint of interest is a lap joint between bottom and upper sheets of 1.2 mm and 0.8 mm respectively that represents a joint on the side of a truck cabin. The requirements are visual A-grade quality and tensile shear strength of 300 MPa.In the project the MIG/MAG process Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) was compared to the TIG processes forceTIG and Plasmatron. CMT was experimentally investigated while the results for the other two processes were obtained partly from a previous study and partly from Volvo Trucks where tests were performed simultaneously. A system for measuring data for the process was developed, test specimens were brazed and examined visually and mechanical destructive testing was performed to ensure the tensile shear strength. Parameter studies were done for further process optimisation. / Inom fordonsindustrin är ett ofta använt material stål i tunna ark belagda med zink p.g.a. zinkets korrossionsskyddande egenskaper. Vid svetsning av detta material uppstår problem med zink som förångas vilket leder till minskad korrosionsbeständighet. Förångningen av zink orsakar också störningar av ljusbågen vilket leder till sprut, porer och svårighet att uppnå god visuell svetskvalitet. Fogarna är i många fall synliga eller delvis synliga (t.ex. synlig efter att ha öppnat en dörr) och "A-kvalitet" efterfrågas, vilket innebär att inga synliga diskontinuiteter tillåts. Fogen ska upplevas jämn och tilltalande.Lödning är ett alternativ till svetsning, och laserlödning är en process som uppfyller kraven men är förknippad med höga kostnader. I det nationella projektet "LEX-B", som finansieras av Vinnova, undersöks möjligheterna att använda båglödning, specifikt en MIG/MAG-process och två TIG-processer, för dessa applikationer. Detta examensarbete är anslutet till den första delen av projektet och syftar till ta fram underlag för att välja den mest lovande av dessa processer för vidare utredning och optimering. LEX-B sker i samarbete mellan Swerea KIMAB, Volvo Lastvagnar, Scania CV och Högskolan Väst. Den undersökta fogen är en överlappsfog mellan en undre plåt med 1,2 mm tjocklek och en övre plåt med 0,8 mm tjocklek. Detta representerar en fog på sidan av en lastbilshytt. Kraven är visuell A-kvalitet och en drag-skjuvhållfasthet av 300 MPa.I projektet jämfördes MIG/MAG-processen Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) med TIG-processerna forceTIG och Plasmatron. CMT testades experimentellt medan resultaten för de övriga två processerna erhölls dels från tidigare tester och dels från Volvo Lastvagnar där tester utfördes parallellt. Ett mätsystem for att dokumentera processdata utvecklades och de framställda lödfogarna undersöktes visuellt och med mekanisk förstörande provning för att säkerställa drag-skjuvhållfastheten. Parameterstudier gjordes för vidare optimering av processen.

Cette thèse traite de la prise en compte de l'impact des procédés d'assemblage thermomécanique sur la géométrie de la caisse en blanc lors de la phase de conception d'un véhicule, chez PSA Peugeot-Citroën. Pour cela, on souhaite développer un outil de prévision des déformations induites par les procédés de soudo-brage - plasmatron et laser - lors de l'assemblage du pavillon sur le côté de la caisse. Les pièces - de dimensions métriques - sont composées de tôles fines d'épaisseur 0,67 mm en acier XES. Afin de réaliser une simulation numérique du procédé, il est nécessaire d'identifier un certain nombre de modèles, objets de cette thèse. Dans un premier temps des essais de soudo-brasage en laboratoire ont été réalisés afin de définir les domaines de validité de l'étude, d'identifier des modèles de sources de chaleur, et de déterminer les coefficients d'échange thermique avec l'extérieur. Une étude spécifique d'identification des lois de comportement des matériaux mis en jeu, sur toute la gamme de température, a également été réalisée. Pour cela, une méthode de mesure de champs par corrélation d'images numériques à haute température a été développée, qui a permis d'identifier complètement les paramètres de la loi de comportement de l'acier XES. Pour finir, de façon à réaliser la validation de la simulation numérique, ces travaux de thèse ont été l'occasion de développer une nouvelle méthode de calibration pour la stéréocorrélation d'images basée sur la connaissance a priori de la géométrie de l'objet observé, en considérant sa forme théorique via son modèle CAO. Cette méthode est tout particulièrement adaptée aux dimensions des structures étudiées ici. / This study is about the impact of thermo-mechanical assembly processes of metal sheets, in the automotive industry context. The aim is to predict thermally induced deformations by using a numerical tool. We are particularly interested in Plasmatron and laser brazing processes that are used to assemble an automotive roof and the body side of the vehicle. Parts are made from 0,67 mm thickness XES thin metal sheet of about one meter length. To validate such complex non-linear numerical simulations with experimental observations, it is necessary to develop well-controlled and highly instrumented tests. In a first step, experimental welding brazing tests are carried out in order to identify validity domains, heat source model and thermal coefficients of exchange. In a second step, high temperature tension tests are performed to identify the behaviour of each material. These tests are instrumented with a new DIC protocol in order to measure displacement fields from 20°C to 1000°C. Finally, in order to validate the thermo-mechanical simulation, in-situ 3D Digital Image Correlation (stereo-correlation) measurements were performed during the welding-brazing assembly. For this purpose and due to the geometry of the involved parts, a new calibration method, based on the CAD part geometry has been developed.

A técnica de soldagem apresenta vantagem de união de partes metálicas que permite melhora na adaptação e uniformidade na distribuição das forças mastigatórias, minimizando falhas no tratamento reabilitador. O objetivo foi avaliar a resistência flexural entre três métodos de soldagem diferentes: Chama Direta a maçarico, método TIG - Tungstênio gás inerte (Soldadora NTY - Kernit, Brasil) e o método de solda a Laser (Soldadora Desktop - Dentaurum, Alemanha) comparando a um grupo controle (Monobloco). Os espécimes cilíndricos foram obtidos a partir de canais de cera pré-fabricados com 3mm de diâmetro e 30mm de comprimento, fundidos em liga de Ni-Cr e seccionados transversalmente, formando os grupos T1 e L1. Depois da secção, dez espécimes dos grupos L e T receberam chanfros em 45° para preenchimento, formando os grupos (L2 e T2). As extremidades foram unidas com resina acrílica obedecendo a uma distância pré-determinada, de 0,3mm para o grupo chama direta, 0,1mm para o grupo TIG e juntas do tipo topo a topo para o grupo laser. Os corpos foram incluídos e soldados de acordo com a proposição. Após a soldagem os corpos de prova foram torneados e levados ao teste de flexão. Os dados foram submetidos aos testes estatísticos (ANOVA e Student-Newman-Keuls - p <0,05) para comparações múltiplas. De acordo com os resultados (MPa) o grupo M (1796,55) obteve o maior valor, seguindo pelo grupo C(1370,56), ficando o grupo T1(990,84) com o valor menor. Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos soldados, existindo somente diferença entre os grupos de teste para o grupo controle em monobloco. No entanto podemos afirmar que o preenchimento parece influenciar discretamente os resultados da resistência flexural no grupo TIG. Conclui-se que o método TIG produz resultado semelhante ao laser e a chama direta, o que é clínica e operacionalmente importante. / The welding technique presents advantage of union of metallic parts that improves the adaptation and appropriate distribution of the bite forces, minimizing flaws in the dental prostheses. The objective was to evaluate the flexural strength in different welding methods: Brazing; Laser (Welder Desktop - Dentaurum, Germany) and Tungsten inert gas - TIG (Welder NTY - Kernit, Brazil), comparing to a control group (non-welded). The cylindrical specimens were obtained from prefabricated wax conduits with 3mm of diameter and 30mm of length, melted in Ni-Cr alloys and split up transversally, forming the groups T1 and L1. After of the section the groups L and T received slices in 45° for fulfill, forming the groups (L2 and T2). The extremities were united with acrylic resin obeying a predetermined distance, from 0,3 mm to the brazing group, 0,1 mm to the TIG group, and in the laser group there wasn\' t any space between the extremities of jointing. The specimes were included and welding in agreement with the proposition, turned and conducted to the flexion test. The data were submitted to the statistical test (ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls - p<0,05) for multiple comparisons. According to the results (MPa) the control group (1796,55) obtained the largest average value, followed by the brazing group (1370,56), being the group T1(990,84) with the smallest value. In terms of statistics there was no difference between the groups with welding, existing only difference among the tested groups for the control group. However, we can affirm that the completion seems to influence the results of the resistance flexural discreetly in the TIG group. It can be concluded that the TIG method produces similar result to the laser and the brazing, what is clinical and important operationally.